Jan Six

Jan Six is a masterful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1647. This deeply atmospheric portrait demonstrates Rembrandt’s profound skill in utilizing etching, drypoint, and the burin to achieve remarkably rich visual texture. The combination of these printing methods allowed the artist to create subtle variations in line weight and tone, resulting in deep, velvety shadows contrasted against precise highlights that define the man’s features. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this impression, which represents the meticulously finished fifth of five states, showcasing the final evolution of the copper plate and the artist's dedication to refinement.

The subject, Jan Six, was a wealthy Amsterdam patrician, writer, and later mayor, who maintained a close relationship with Rembrandt and served as one of his key patrons. The artist depicts Six engrossed in reading, leaning casually against an open window. This intimate pose, focusing on the simple act of reading, transformed the traditional genre of elite portraiture, offering a profound glimpse into the sitter's intellectual life. Rembrandt uses strong chiaroscuro to emphasize the thoughtful concentration of the man, illuminating his face and the pages of the book. As one of the most celebrated prints of the Dutch Golden Age, this work showcases why Rembrandt remains revered as the era's foremost graphic artist. The depiction of men engaged in quiet contemplation was a popular yet elevated subject among the Dutch elite during this period.