A Girl with a Broom
by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1651
Artwork Details
Details
- Year
- 1651
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Size
- 107.3 cm × 91.4 cm
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Circa 1651, Rembrandt painted this contemplative portrait of a young servant girl pausing in her work. She leans on a broom handle, gazing out with a thoughtful expression that transcends her humble station. The warm golden-brown tones envelop her in gentle light.
Unlike formal commissions, this painting shows Rembrandt's interest in ordinary people. The girl's direct gaze and quiet dignity challenge viewers to see beyond social class. The loose brushwork in the background contrasts with the careful rendering of her face and hands, drawing attention to her humanity.
The painting hangs at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
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About A Girl with a Broom
The painting hangs at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It's one of Rembrandt's most beloved genre paintings.
Her identity is unknown. She may have been a household servant or a model from Rembrandt's neighborhood in Amsterdam This work dates to 1651.
Rembrandt heightened an ordinary servant to the status of a dignified portrait subject, showing his democratic vision of human worth This work dates to 1651.
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