Jan Cornelis Sylvius is a significant portrait print executed by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1633. This etching, classified specifically as a print, exemplifies the artist's developing mastery of the printmaking process during his early Amsterdam period. The medium allows Rembrandt to achieve deep contrasts and highly detailed textures, essential for capturing the character of the elderly sitter.
The subject, Jan Cornelis Sylvius (c. 1563-1638), was a prominent Dutch Reformed preacher and Rembrandt's uncle by marriage, having married his mother's sister. This familial connection, combined with Sylvius's respected public role, made him an ideal subject for a formal etched portrait. Rembrandt depicts the man in a three-quarter pose, emphasizing his gravitas and intellectual authority, consistent with the solemnity expected of 17th-century Dutch portraits of men.
Rembrandt utilizes dramatic shadowing to draw attention to Sylvius's face and hands, typical of the powerful psychological intensity found in the artist's graphic works. As an exemplary piece of Dutch graphic arts from the period, this print demonstrates the artist's innovative control over the medium. The work is classified as a print and resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, securing its importance as a key reference for Rembrandt's early etching output. The historical nature of this portrait makes it a frequently accessed work in the public domain.
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