A Syndic of the Drapers’ Guild, Jacob van Loon, Seated

A Syndic of the Drapers’ Guild, Jacob van Loon, Seated by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating from 1661-1662, is a remarkable example of the artist’s mastery of drawing in his late career. This work, classified as a drawing, was executed using a complex and varied mix of media on paper, including deck paint, ink, and chalk. Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, the piece offers insight into the prominent figures of Amsterdam society and the period’s demand for sophisticated portraiture.

The subject, Jacob van Loon, was a syndic, or official, of the Drapers’ Guild, a powerful civic body. While Rijn is most celebrated for his large oil canvases, his drawings reveal a profound sensitivity and immediacy in capturing character. The combination of wet and dry media allowed Rijn to rapidly capture the texture of the drapery and the psychological depth of the sitter. The application of chalk provides essential structure and highlights, while the deck paint adds subtle tonal variations to the figure. This technique demonstrates the experimental and direct approach characteristic of Rijn’s output in his final years.

This expressive drawing provides crucial documentation of 17th-century civic life and the evolving style of the artist. Rijn’s late period is marked by increasingly internalized and detailed psychological studies, visible here in the syndic’s posture and steady gaze. The work currently resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it forms part of the definitive documentation of Rijn's prolific career. High-quality prints of this important Dutch masterwork are widely available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its accessibility for study worldwide.