The Skater

Rembrandt van Rijn

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a man in motion. The sketch shows a figure poised mid-stride, appearing to wield a stick or cane, with one arm crossed almost defensively over his chest. The figure is dressed in loose-fitting clothes, and his expression is intense. His hat is a beret. The background is sketched lightly, providing a sense of depth. The use of light and shadow in the line work suggests the movement and energy of the scene.