Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol: the Smaller Plate

Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol: the Smaller Plate by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1658, stands as a premier example of the artist’s mastery in graphic media. Classified as a print, the work was executed using the complex, labor-intensive combination of etching, drypoint, and burin. This deliberate mixing of techniques was crucial to Rijn’s distinctive style, allowing him to achieve a rich density of tone unparalleled by contemporary printmakers. Etching established the primary contours, while the burin provided sharp, defined lines, and the drypoint yielded the characteristic burr that creates deep, velvety blacks, particularly noticeable in the shadowed areas of the portrait.

The subject is Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol, a celebrated Amsterdam writing master whom Rijn depicted on multiple occasions. Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age (1651 to 1700), this portrait reflects the period's demand for individualized and psychologically resonant imagery. This version, the Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol: the Smaller Plate, focuses intensely on Coppenol’s face, capturing an expression of deep concentration, perhaps while composing a script or reflecting on his calligraphic art.

Rijn’s late prints demonstrate a profound shift toward dramatic chiaroscuro effects and textural complexity, solidifying his reputation as the most influential graphic artist of the Dutch school. The careful handling of the medium reflects the maturity of the artist during this late stage of his career. The work provides crucial historical context for the patronage of intellectual figures within the culture of 17th-century Dutch society. This significant piece resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, where high-quality reproductions of this important masterwork are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread scholarly and artistic engagement with Rijn’s enduring legacy.