Jan Asselijn

Jan Asselijn is a masterful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1647. This complex work, classified as a print, utilizes a sophisticated combination of etching, drypoint, and burin techniques, showcasing the artist's unparalleled technical versatility in graphic media. The subject of the portrait is the Dutch landscape painter Jan Asselijn (c. 1610-1652), who was known for his Italianate style and who, like Rijn, was active in Amsterdam during the height of the Golden Age.

The fusion of technical processes is critical to the piece’s visual impact. The drypoint needle, dragged directly across the copper plate, created a burr that holds significant ink, lending a rich, velvety depth to the shadows and defining the contour of the sitter’s face. This use of heavy darks and brilliant highlights demonstrates Rijn's mastery of dramatic contrast. Asselijn is depicted wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a compositional device Rijn frequently employed to frame the face and intensify the effect of focused light, drawing the viewer's attention to the sitter's expression.

Created firmly within the period of 1601 to 1650, this portrait exemplifies the intense focus on individual psychological presence and meticulous detail characteristic of high Dutch art. During this era, the market for graphic prints flourished in the Dutch Republic, making works like this commercially vital for artists. Rijn's graphic work was highly sought after, establishing his reputation far beyond the confines of painting. This particular portrait serves not only as a record of a contemporary colleague but also as a powerful display of Rijn’s ability to capture personality through subtle gesture and controlled light. This significant print from Rijn’s prolific career is maintained in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.