Jan Six

Jan Six is a seminal portrait print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1647. This intimate etching captures the titular subject, a wealthy Amsterdam art collector, writer, and future burgomaster, in a moment of quiet contemplation. Unlike many formal portraits of the period, Rembrandt chose to depict Six casually situated next to a window, deeply engrossed in reading a large book. The composition utilizes dramatic contrast; while Jan Six’s face and the page he studies are brightly illuminated, the background falls into deep shadow, drawing the viewer’s attention immediately to the acts of reading and scholarship. This humanized portrayal of one of the era’s foremost men of letters makes the piece particularly compelling within the artist’s extensive body of portraiture.

Classified as a master print, the technical complexity of the piece demonstrates Rembrandt’s profound skill in graphic arts. He utilized a meticulous combination of etching, engraving, and drypoint to achieve rich variations in texture and depth. The drypoint, particularly evident in the dark shadows near the window and the figure’s garments, creates a velvety texture that contrasts sharply with the fine etched lines of the background. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the fifth of five known states of this impression, showcasing the refinement of the plate as Rembrandt worked toward the final desired effect.

This powerful representation of Jan Six as a sophisticated man immersed in books reinforces the cultural emphasis placed on scholarship and intellectual pursuit during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Considered one of the finest single-figure portraits produced in 17th-century Dutch printmaking, the work blends psychological insight with technical brilliance. This rare and significant print remains a key highlight of the Dutch collection held at The Met.