The Artist's Mother with Her Hand on Her Chest

Rembrandt van Rijn

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an elderly woman in an etching. She is shown from the chest up, positioned slightly turned to her left and looking downward. Her facial features are detailed, showing pronounced wrinkles, a slightly furrowed brow, and partially closed eyes. Her hair is covered by a dark headscarf draping over her shoulders. She wears a dark garment with a high white collar showing at the neckline and holds the fabric of her clothing lightly with one hand near her chest. The background consists of densely crosshatched lines, creating a textured effect to highlight the figure in the foreground.