DISCOVERART

Rembrandt van Rijn

The Strolling Musicians

c. 1635
etching and drypoint

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Although 17th-century Holland produced neither noteworthy composers nor renowned performers, rarely has another culture produced so many visual images of music as the Dutch. In this depiction of a pair of itinerant musicians wearily shuffling from door to door, Rembrandt reveals his compassionate understanding of human frailties. The hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes, as depicted here, were frequently associated with itinerant beggars and blind street singers in paintings and prints of the period.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Rembrandt van Rijn

Landscape with a Stone BridgeLandscape with a Stone BridgePortrait of a Woman, Probably Maria Trip (1619-1683)Portrait of a Woman, Probably Maria Trip (1619-1683)Jonge vrouw in gefantaseerde kledingJonge vrouw in gefantaseerde kledingSelf-portraitSelf-portraitMan in Oriental DressMan in Oriental DressStill Life with PeacocksStill Life with PeacocksRembrandts zoon Titus in monniksdrachtRembrandts zoon Titus in monniksdrachtPortrait of Haesje Jacobsdr van CleyburgPortrait of Haesje Jacobsdr van Cleyburg

More like this

The Strolling MusiciansRembrandt van Rijn — The Strolling MusiciansThe Strolling MusiciansRembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) — The Strolling MusiciansThe Spectacle SellerAdriaen van Ostade (Dutch, 1610–1684) — The Spectacle SellerThe Spectacle SellerAdriaen van Ostade — The Spectacle SellerThe Adoration of the Shepherds: with the LampRembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) — The Adoration of the ShephePlate 12: a group of people outdoors including a boy playing a flute, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish peopleFrancisco Lameyer y Berenguer — Plate 12: a group of people Beggar Man and Beggar Woman ConversingRembrandt van Rijn — Beggar Man and Beggar Woman ConversingPlate 18: street musicians and other figures outisde a tavern, from the series of customs and pastimes of the Spanish peopleFrancisco Lameyer y Berenguer — Plate 18: street musicians aJews in the SynagogueRembrandt van Rijn — Jews in the SynagogueBeggars Receiving Alms at the Door of a HouseRembrandt van Rijn — Beggars Receiving Alms at the Door of aThe PeddlarChristian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich (German, 1712–1774) — The PThe Adoration of the Shepherds, with the lampRembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) — The Adoration of the Shephe