Elsje Christiaens Hanging on a Gibbet (1664, Met-Objekt 5436)
Original title: Elsje Christiaens Hanging on a Gibbet
kurzbeschreibung
Rembrandt recorded the executed Elsje Christiaens hanging from the gallows in this 1664 drawing. The sheet is executed in pen and brown ink, with brush and grayish-brown wash on sturdy, brownish paper. Within Rembrandt's late work, this drawing occupies a distinctive place.
Description
Elsje Christiaens appears upright, her arms hanging limply. The folds of her dress are clearly visible, and her face bears a sad, resigned expression. A simple post with a small platform forms the gallows from which the body hangs. The layout is centered, with the hanging figure filling almost the entire foreground. Brown and gray tones dominate the color scheme and contribute to the somber mood.
Context
Elsje Christiaens was executed in Amsterdam in 1664 for killing her landlady. Rembrandt probably drew this sheet after the public execution, which he attended as a spectator. It belongs to a series of studies in which he recorded convicts and executed persons. Only a few of his works refer directly to a historical event.
Impact
The sheet conveys an oppressive atmosphere that also evokes sympathy. Despite the gruesome scene, Rembrandt gives the dead woman a dignified presence. Few strokes and the dark tonality make the viewer's gaze linger.
Technique
For the contours, Rembrandt used pen and brown ink; shadows and volume he set with brush in grayish-brown wash. The rough texture of the heavy brown paper enhances the somber effect. How confidently he combines precise pen drawing and soft wash is evident in this sheet.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)