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Rembrandt’s many landscape drawings chronicle his walks in and around Amsterdam. Their topographical accuracy often makes it possible to identify the exact spot where they were drawn. This sheet was made on the elevated defensive rampart of the city. Only the rooftops of certain houses to the right are visible. The windmill whimsically called the Smeerpot (Grease Pot) faces away from the rampart at right, while at left Rembrandt depicted a long row of low buildings that served as a rope factory.
Rembrandt van Rijn
Dutch; 1606–1669
The Bulwark De Rose and the Windmill De Smeerpot, Amsterdam, ca. 1649–52
Pen and brown ink and wash
2006.47