The Monk in the Cornfield
<p>Rembrandt was never shy about showing naked bodies or erotic subjects in a realistic way. In the 1640s he created several scenes of courting couples outdoors, and <em>The Monk in the Cornfield</em> is one of the most sexually charged of these prints. Despite the print’s tiny size, the graphic depiction of an unchaste monk and an enthusiastic milkmaid coupling surreptitiously makes for a powerful sculptural grouping. The etched suggestion of a farmer with a scythe in the background reinforces the temporary nature of their haven in the wheat field and emphasizes the voyeurism of the viewer.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1641
- Dimensions
- Image/plate: 4.7 × 6.6 cm (1 7/8 × 2 5/8 in.); Sheet: 5.1 × 6.9 cm (2 1/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Rembrandt van Rijn
Artist
More
More by Rembrandt van Rijn
Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob
1763 · Etching in black on ivory wove paper
Final Published Work: Head of Menem Ben Israel
1740 · Charcoal, with stumping, heightened with traces of white chalk, on blue laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper
Rembrandt with a Plumed Hat
1700 · Black crayon, with stumping, with pen and black ink, on tan laid paper
Jan Antonides van der Linden
1665 · etching, drypoint and burin
Lucretia
1664 · oil on canvas
Portrait of Gerard de Lairesse
1663 · Oil on canvas
Record
Verified by Watts Index- Artist
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Year
- 1641
- Dimensions
- Image/plate: 4.7 × 6.6 cm (1 7/8 × 2 5/8 in.); Sheet: 5.1 × 6.9 cm (2 1/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1641-042831
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified