Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol, writing master: the smaller plate

Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol, writing master: the smaller plate by Rembrandt van Rijn is a powerful example of the artist's late period printmaking, executed around 1658. Classified as a print created on paper, this work demonstrates Rijn’s mastery of graphic media, likely combining etching, drypoint, and perhaps burin work to achieve its rich texture and depth of shadow. The subject is Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol (c. 1598-1667), a well-known and highly respected schrijfmeester (writing master) in Amsterdam, whose celebrated skill in calligraphy made him a notable figure in the Dutch Golden Age.

Rijn executed two famous portraits of Coppenol, distinguishing them as the "smaller plate" and the larger version, which offered differing interpretations of the sitter’s character and profession. This smaller, more immediate composition captures Coppenol seated, his figure slightly turned toward the viewer, seemingly caught mid-thought or mid-writing. Rijn employed striking contrasts of light and shadow, characteristic of his mature style, to illuminate the subject's face and emphasize the scholarly concentration required for his demanding vocation.

The creation of multiple versions of the same portrait underscores the importance of personalized likenesses in 17th-century society, where prints served as vital documents of status and identity. Acquired as a key part of the national graphic arts collection, this significant historical print resides in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It exemplifies Rijn’s capacity to instill psychological weight into his subjects, ensuring that even today, prints of this masterwork continue to inform the study of Dutch portraiture. The enduring quality and public access to such influential prints contribute significantly to our understanding of the period.