Clement de Jonghe, Printseller

Clement de Jonghe, Printseller is a masterful etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, in 1651. Executed in black ink on buff laid paper, this work exemplifies the artist's mature skill in printmaking. Rembrandt was renowned for his innovative approach to the etching medium, utilizing deep lines and careful shading to achieve subtle tonal variations, a technique crucial for capturing the character and environment of his sitter. The highly detailed rendering demonstrates why the artist is considered one of the greatest masters of graphic arts in the history of the Netherlands.

The subject, Clement de Jonghe, was a major figure in the thriving 17th-century Dutch art market, specializing primarily in the sale and publication of prints. This portrait captures him in a moment of quiet contemplation, suggesting the professional dignity of a successful Amsterdam merchant. Rembrandt focuses intensely on De Jonghe’s face, employing dense cross-hatching and drypoint additions to define volume and light, contrasting the bright, illuminated foreground with the deeper shadow defining the background. This stark lighting emphasizes the sitter's intellectual engagement and his importance within the period’s commercial landscape.

Dating from the peak period of Rembrandt’s graphic output, this print holds significant value as both a portrait and a historical document of the Amsterdam art scene. This original impression is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the museum's robust holdings of 17th-century Dutch works. As a pivotal work within the history of fine art prints, high-resolution reproductions of the artist’s Clement de Jonghe, Printseller are frequently available in the public domain for research and study.