Two Studies of a Woman Asleep (Saskia?)

Though Rembrandt van Rijn's oeuvre includes depictions of many grand subjects-from dramatic biblical scenes to portraits of wealthy and influential citizens of Amsterdam-he also turned his attention to more personal topics. In this, one of the most introspective drawings ever created by the artist, we see Rembrandt set his considerable talents as a draftsman toward the study of a sleeping woman, perhaps his beloved first wife Saskia. The artist's loose curving ink lines appear soft, even tender-like stray gossamer threads-and create a downy swaddle of pillow and blanket that cradle the woman's head, neck, and shoulders. Rembrandt's careful depiction of her slightly parted lips, relaxed wrist, and head nestled into the pillow not only shows us the physical phenomenon of sleep, but also evokes the comforting and peaceful sensations associated with deep rest. This drawing is thought to date to ca. 1635-37, coinciding with a period in which Saskia had four documented confinements to her bed, between 1635 and 1641. She died in 1642 from an illness, possibly tuberculosis. Though we cannot be completely sure of the woman's identity, what is apparent is Rembrandt's particular talent for capturing, through the emotive undulations of his drawn lines, the quintessence of a particular feeling, the spirit of a fleeting moment. Rembrandt produced a sizeable group of studies representing women in bed. In the case of this drawing, which features two views of the same women, the upper sketch was apparently made first. The lower sketch was added as the sleeper, now sunk more deeply into her pillows, shifted her hand, opened her mouth, and perhaps started to gently snore. -Felice Stampfle with contributions by Sarah W. Mallory