Landscape with an Obelisk, c. 1650, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch, 1606-1669, 3 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (8.3 x 16 cm) (plate), Etching and drypoint, The Netherlands, 17th century, In 1624 the city of Amsterdam erected the obelisk pictured here to mark its expanded boundary along the Spaardammerdijk River toward the town of Haarlem. Rembrandt romanticized the view of the relatively barren landscape, adding features and making the obelisk appear considerably larger than it actually was. Look closely to see that he initially drew it with an orb on top, just reaching the top of the image. Giving the etching needle greater dimension, he more firmly anchored the entire image.