Who painted Woman with the Arrow?

Woman with the Arrow was painted by Rembrandt in 1661.

Where can I see Woman with the Arrow?

Woman with the Arrow is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Woman with the Arrow?

Woman with the Arrow is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Woman with the Arrow

Rembrandt , 1661

Woman with the Arrow is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1661, this print by Rembrandt van Rijn combines etching, drypoint, and burin on laid paper. The work depicts a solitary woman seated on the ground, her back turned toward the viewer. Her right hand clasps a small object while her left arm rests on her knee, and her face remains concealed, emphasizing posture over identity.

Subject & Meaning

The figure’s turned torso and hidden visage invite contemplation of anonymity and introspection. By withholding the facial expression, Rembrandt directs attention to the tactile qualities of the skin and clothing, suggesting a study of human form and texture rather than a narrative scene.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employed a layered approach: a primary etched line, reinforced with drypoint’s burr‑rich scratches and precise burin incisions. This mixture yields a varied line quality, from deep, rough strokes to fine, controlled edges, giving the surface a pronounced three‑dimensionality and a dramatic chiaroscuro effect uncommon in simpler prints.

Context

The work belongs to Rembrandt’s late period, when he increasingly explored the expressive potential of printmaking. During the 1660s he often combined multiple intaglio methods to achieve greater depth and tonal variation, reflecting his mature interest in the interplay of light, texture, and human presence.

Artist & collection

Artist

Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.