Jan Uytenbogaert, Preacher of the Remonstrants

Jan Uytenbogaert, Preacher of the Remonstrants is an influential print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635. This intimate portrait was executed using the demanding combined techniques of etching and drypoint, allowing Rijn to achieve both fine line work and rich, velvety shadows. The subject, Jan Uytenbogaert (1571-1647), was a prominent Dutch theologian and one of the key leaders of the liberal Protestant movement known as the Remonstrants. The work captures the preacher in a moment of thoughtful repose, reflecting the profound status such figures held in 17th-century Dutch society.

Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this artwork reflects the intense focus on individualized portraiture characteristic of the Netherlands at the time. Rijn demonstrates his technical mastery in the subtle differentiation of texture, using drypoint to deepen the shadows and create texture on the sitter's dark clerical clothing, contrasting sharply with the finely etched details of the face and hands. Unlike many formal commissioned portraits, Rijn chose an informal, contemplative pose for Uytenbogaert, lending the image a psychological depth rarely seen in contemporary printed works.

This celebrated example of Dutch prints is currently housed in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. As one of the most technically accomplished prints produced by the artist, the piece represents an important document of religious and social life in the Netherlands. Due to the historical importance of the work, high-resolution reproductions of this print are often made available in the public domain, ensuring Rijn's enduring legacy remains accessible to scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.