Clement de Jonghe, printseller

"Clement de Jonghe, printseller" is a remarkable 1651 print by the Dutch master Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn). This highly detailed image was achieved through the demanding combination of etching, drypoint, and burin techniques. The rigorous execution and experimental nature of the process are evident, particularly in the fifth of ten documented states, demonstrating Rembrandt’s habitual practice of continually reworking his copper plates to achieve varied effects. The rich, velvety blacks resulting from the drypoint work lend the piece an immediate textural depth rarely matched in contemporary prints from the period.

The subject is Clement de Jonghe, a prominent printseller and publisher in mid-17th-century Amsterdam, known to have stocked and sold Rembrandt's own prints. Depicting the sitter in profile, the artist focuses on the man's contemplative expression and distinguished bearing. This portrait of one of the influential men within the Dutch art market is a key example of Rembrandt's specialized ability to render meticulous realism alongside dramatic chiaroscuro. The subject matter not only documents an important commercial connection in the artist’s life but also highlights the structure of the Dutch Golden Age art world, where printsellers played a vital role in distribution and patronage.

The work is classified as a print, demonstrating Rembrandt’s enduring versatility across painting and graphic media. This renowned impression of Clement de Jonghe, printseller resides in the extensive permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As the original piece is centuries old, high-quality images of this influential profile are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to Rembrandt’s exceptional graphic art.