Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician

Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician is a highly detailed print created by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) between 1641 and 1651. This print is a masterpiece of intaglio technique, utilizing the complex combination of etching, engraving, and drypoint. The specific inclusion of drypoint, evident in the burr that creates soft, velvety lines, is characteristic of Rembrandt’s innovative approach to graphic arts during this decade. The work is specified as the second of two known states, indicating the adjustments the artist made between print runs to refine the composition and strengthen the shadows.

The print serves as a direct, intimate portrait of Ephraim Bonus, a respected Jewish physician practicing in Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age. Rembrandt often depicted figures from the prosperous Jewish community residing near his studio, ensuring that this visual record of 17th-century Dutch life extends beyond the conventional elite. The composition focuses entirely on the doctor, emphasizing his professionalism and dignity through the meticulous depiction of his clothing and thoughtful expression. Rembrandt achieves a profound sense of character through the mastery of line and tone, positioning this piece among his finest printed portraits of men.

This significant example of 17th-century Dutch prints is categorized as a print and resides in the comprehensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work stands as a testament to Rembrandt’s unparalleled skill in producing small-scale works of art that convey immense psychological depth. As with many works of this era, high-resolution images of these historic prints are often accessible through public domain collections, contributing significantly to the global study of the master's extensive graphic oeuvre.