Jan Uytenbogaert

Jan Uytenbogaert is a celebrated portrait etching originally conceived and executed in 1635 by the Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn. The particular impression in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection was printed by Donald Shaw MacLaughlan, an American artist noted for his skill in re-etching and reproducing historical graphic works. Classified as a print, the work is rendered using the etching technique in black ink on cream laid paper.

The subject is Jan Uytenbogaert (1571-1647), a prominent Remonstrant theologian whose political and religious influence was central to the social fabric of the 17th-century Netherlands. The portrait is renowned for its intimacy and psychological depth, reflecting Rijn's revolutionary approach to printmaking. Unlike his predecessors, Rijn utilized the etching plate with incredible freedom, building up complex cross-hatching to achieve deep chiaroscuro and dramatic textural effects, particularly in the rendering of Uytenbogaert’s weighty robes.

This print captures the essence of the Dutch Golden Age, where graphic arts thrived, serving both as fine art and as a mechanism for widespread documentation. The original plate stands as a cornerstone of Rijn's extensive body of prints, demonstrating his mastery not just of painting, but also of the demanding medium of etching. Subsequent high-quality prints and reproductions, such as this one, ensured the legacy and widespread understanding of Rijn’s genius. Today, many impressions derived from this seminal work are available through public domain initiatives, ensuring this important visual history remains accessible. This fine example resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.