Jacob Haaringh (Young Haaringh) (Pieter Haaringh)

Jacob Haaringh (Young Haaringh) (Pieter Haaringh), created in 1655 by Rembrandt van Rijn, is a masterful example of Dutch printmaking from the mid-seventeenth century. This classification of print showcases Rijn’s dedication to technical exploration during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age, spanning the period 1651 to 1700. The work was executed using the demanding, layered combination of etching, drypoint, and engraving. This complex process was central to Rijn’s technical skill, allowing him to achieve rich tonal variations and atmospheric effects rarely seen in other contemporary prints. The velvety darks, particularly evident in the background and the sitter’s clothing, are characteristic of the drypoint technique, which lends the portrait exceptional depth and psychological resonance.

The subject, Jacob Haaringh, was likely associated with the municipal administration in Amsterdam, perhaps serving as a clerk or official who dealt with Rijn’s own financial affairs. Unlike his large commissioned paintings, the print medium permitted Rijn to capture a more immediate, less formalized likeness of his sitters. In this intimate portrait of Jacob Haaringh (Young Haaringh) (Pieter Haaringh), Rijn employs dramatic shading and careful line work to draw acute attention to the sitter's face, illustrating his mature handling of light and shadow on the copper plate. Rijn’s innovative use of drypoint, however, meant that the burr wore down quickly during printing, often resulting in limited editions, making original impressions highly valued.

Rijn’s status as the preeminent printmaker of his era is cemented by the technical brilliance displayed in pieces like this. His mastery of these varied intaglio methods transformed portraiture in the print medium. This exceptional impression is housed within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Today, high-quality digital records of these important prints often reside in the public domain, ensuring widespread study and access to the works of this great master.