Jan Uytenbogaert, "The Goldweigher"

Jan Uytenbogaert, "The Goldweigher" by Rembrandt van Rijn is a definitive masterwork of the Dutch Golden Age (1601 to 1650) in the medium of printmaking. Created between 1606 and 1669, this specific impression is an etching executed meticulously on laid paper. Rijn was widely celebrated for his groundbreaking technical achievements in printmaking, treating the copper plate with the freedom and expressive depth usually reserved for oil painting.

The subject is the Remonstrant preacher Jan Uytenbogaert (1574-1644), whom Rijn knew personally. While the title suggests a literal activity, the depiction of Uytenbogaert weighing coins likely symbolizes his ecclesiastical role as a receiver and administrator of funds for the poor, or perhaps serves as an allegorical commentary on the balance between spiritual and temporal duties. The composition employs Rijn’s signature use of dramatic light and shadow, illuminating the preacher’s concentrated expression and the tools of his task against a dark backdrop. The detailed rendering of textures, from the clerical robes to the delicate mechanism of the scale, testifies to the artist’s acute observational skill.

The popularity of such highly atmospheric prints grew exponentially during the mid-17th century, providing accessible art to the burgeoning Dutch merchant class. This period marks the apex of Rijn’s productivity in the graphic arts. This exceptional work is classified as a print and resides within the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to the age and prominence of the artist, this iconic image is frequently referenced in art historical literature, and high-quality reproductions are often accessible via public domain art libraries.