Cornelis Claesz Anslo

Cornelis Claesz Anslo is a masterful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1641. This important work from the Dutch Golden Age exemplifies the artist's sophisticated command of graphic media, executed using a combination of etching and drypoint. This complex technical approach allowed Rijn to achieve profound atmospheric depth and complex textures rarely seen in 17th-century printmaking, setting a new standard for portraiture.

The subject of this portrait is Cornelis Claesz Anslo (1592-1646), a prominent Mennonite preacher in Amsterdam. Rijn was highly sought after for commissions during this period, and his ability to capture the psychological intensity of his sitters is powerfully evident here. Created at the height of the Dutch period between 1601 to 1650, the piece reflects the era's focus on individual piety, spiritual insight, and emerging bourgeois culture. Unlike many contemporary artists who prioritized idealized grandeur, Rijn focused on intimacy and realism. Anslo is shown mid-address, perhaps teaching or sermonizing, lending a narrative quality to the portrait that transcends mere physical representation.

The strategic application of drypoint adds rich, velvety lines and deep shadows to the preacher's robes and the background, defining Rijn’s characteristic use of chiaroscuro. This dramatic contrast of light and shade emphasizes the sitter’s face and hands, drawing the viewer into the moment of instruction. As one of Rijn's most celebrated achievements in the graphic arts, high-quality prints of the work are widely studied today. This significant impression of Cornelis Claesz Anslo is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and its status ensures availability through public domain initiatives for academic research and appreciation.