Jan Lutma, Goldsmith

Jan Lutma, Goldsmith is a profound print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1656. This work, executed through the demanding process of etching, supplemented heavily by the textural richness of drypoint, exemplifies Rijn's late career mastery of the printing plate. Created in the Netherlands during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the piece captures Jan Lutma (c. 1584–1669), a highly respected Amsterdam goldsmith and silversmith. The technique of drypoint, where the artist scratches directly into the plate, creates a distinctive, rich burr, evident here in the velvety shading and the contour lines of the figure, giving the print a depth rarely achieved in pure etching.

The subject is seated, holding a small object and resting his arm upon a table that displays the tools of his prestigious profession. Rijn masterfully manipulates the light, bringing out the textural differences between the materials—from the polished metal tools to the sitter’s heavy robes—emphasizing the precision required of a master craftsman like Lutma. The attention to individualized detail in the face elevates this beyond a simple professional study, creating a profound psychological portrait that remains highly studied among connoisseurs of 17th-century European art.

This significant print, a key example of Northern European printmaking, is preserved within the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Its enduring importance means that high-quality digital assets of this original 17th-century work are frequently available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access and scholarly study of Rijn's genius in creating fine prints.