Saskia with Pearls in Her Hair, 1634, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch, 1606–1669, 3 3/8 x 2 5/8 in. (8.6 x 6.6 cm) (plate), Etching and drypoint, The Netherlands, 17th century, Saskia Uylenburgh was the daughter of a wealthy burgomaster from Leeuwarden. When orphaned at age twelve, she went to live with relatives in Amsterdam. These included the art dealer Hendrick Uylenburgh, who likely brokered many of Rembrandt's earliest portrait commissions. Saskia and Rembrandt met through Hendrick and married in 1634, a union that not only enhanced Rembrandt's social standing but also inspired some of his most tender etchings. Saskia with Pearls in Her Hair was made during the first year of their marriage. Surprisingly, the double portrait is the only one Rembrandt made with Saskia. Outfitted in a sixteenth-century hat, he gives the impression that we have just interrupted him while he was sketching her.
Keywords:
Saskia, Pearls, Hair, 1634, Rembrandt Harmensz, van Rijn, Dutch, 1606–1669, plate, Etching, drypoint, Netherlands, 17th century, Saskia Uylenburgh, daughter, wealthy burgomaster, Leeuwarden, orphaned, age twelve, went, live, relatives, Amsterdam, included, art dealer Hendrick Uylenburgh, brokered, Rembrandt's earliest portrait commissions, Saskia, Rembrandt met, Hendrick, married, 1634, union, enhanced Rembrandt's social standing, inspired, tender etchings, Saskia, Pearls, Hair, first year, marriage, Surprisingly, double portrait, Rembrandt, Saskia, Outfitted, sixteenth-century hat, gives, impression, interrupted, sketching
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