The Strolling Musicians by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn 1606–1669 | Dutch

Strolling Musicians

Etching on paper
New Hollstein 141, first state of three

This remarkable etching was created by one of the greats of art history, Rembrandt. Entitled Strolling Musicians, this work exemplifies the master's extraordinary ability to capture the vitality and humanity of everyday life. This common subject matter would have been familiar to Rembrandt’s contemporaries, but the artist's genius elevates the encounter into a profound image of human connection that still resonates today.

Etched and printed by Rembrandt himself in 1635, this exceptionally detailed print depicts a group of itinerant street performers—a hurdy-gurdy player, a bagpiper and a companion—entertaining a small family in their doorway. A scruffy dog pulls at its leash in the foreground, a detail that lends both humor and immediacy to the scene. A recurring theme for Rembrandt, this work shows his fascination with the humble and the ordinary, as he renders the ragged clothing, fur hats and animated gestures of the musicians with a flurry of energetic lines and casts them in dramatic lighting. The result is an image alive with character, movement, and social interaction.

Rembrandt’s etchings played a crucial role in his fame beyond the Netherlands. From biblical narratives and portraits to genre scenes such as this one, his prints circulated widely and were avidly collected across Europe. In Strolling Musicians, the artist’s technical mastery is evident in the subtle modulation of line and light, hallmarks of his innovative approach that forever transformed the art of printmaking. Other examples of this rare first state etching reside in major collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.

The son of a miller, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is believed to have been born in Leiden on July 15, 1606. He studied first at the Latin School, and then was enrolled at the University of Leiden at the age of 14. He soon left to study art—first with a local master, Jacob van Swanenburch, and then, in Amsterdam, with Pieter Lastman, known for his historical paintings. Rembrandt was an exceptionally gifted student and mastered his art in a mere six months. By 22 years old, he returned to Leiden and was soon so highly regarded that he was able to take students of his own. His paintings and prints were avidly admired and collected during his lifetime, and today they are counted among the most coveted in the whole of art history.

Etched in 1635

Paper: 5 1/2" high x 4 1/2" wide (13.97 x 11.43 cm)
Frame: 20 1/4" high x 16 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" deep (51.44 x 41.28 x 3.18 cm)

Provenance:
Private Collection, The Netherlands
M.S. Rau, New Orleans

Literature:
Bartsch, Hollstein 119; Hind 192; New Hollstein 141