The Bathers

In this image of men bathing in a pool, Rembrandt employed only a few essential lines to describe an entire scene. Notice how the placid water is indicated with just a handful of lines. The speed of Rembrandt’s etching needle is suggested in the background foliage, conveyed with minimal detail, and the loose parallel shading used for the human figures which appear to dissolve under the strong light.

This “economy of line” (spare use of lines to convey information) was one of Rembrandt’s approaches as a versatile printmaker, no doubt enabling him to quickly capture fleeting moments on the printing plate when working outdoors. In the second state, Rembrandt trimmed the uneven plate, and a spot of corrosion appears in the upper center of the plate.