Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician

"Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician," created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669 in 1647, is a masterful example of 17th-century printmaking. Executed using the challenging processes of etching and drypoint in black ink on ivory laid paper, this print showcases the artist’s unparalleled skill in creating depth and shadow through highly controlled line work. The combination of etching (which allowed for precise planning and detail) and drypoint (which created rich, velvety burrs from the displaced copper) lends a unique, textured immediacy to the final image, cementing the work’s status among the great prints of the Dutch Golden Age.

Rembrandt frequently used his artistic skills to capture the diverse population of Amsterdam, focusing intently on portraiture and the psychological depth of his sitters, including prominent members of the local Jewish community. Ephraim Bonus (or Bueno, c. 1592-1665) was an esteemed Sephardic physician and member of the Spanish-Portuguese congregation who lived near the artist. Unlike some of Rembrandt’s grander, theatrical history scenes, this piece serves as an intimate portrait, capturing the sitter with profound complexity. The physician is depicted in quiet contemplation, offering a personal look at a respected figure in 17th-century Netherlands society.

As one of the most famous examples of Rembrandt’s extensive graphic output, this classification of print demonstrates the high value placed on non-painted works by collectors of the era. This significant work, titled Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician, is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key resource for studying the Dutch master’s technical evolution in the etching medium.