Portrait of a Boy in Profile

Portrait of a Boy in Profile is a delicate and characteristic etching created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1641. This print, executed on laid paper, exemplifies the artist’s prolific activity and technical mastery within the printmaking medium during the Dutch Golden Age. Rijn utilized the etching process, where a metal plate is covered with a wax ground and lines are scratched through before being bitten by acid. This technique allowed him to achieve a spontaneity and luminosity that distinguishes his printed work from that of his contemporaries.

The subject is rendered in strict profile, a compositional choice that lends the young figure an air of quiet dignity and introspection. Rijn’s control of the burin is evident in the subtle variations in line weight, achieving a remarkable depth of tone through cross-hatching and close parallel lines. He carefully delineates the curve of the boy's head and the texture of his garment, contrasting the detailed rendering of the form with the negative space surrounding the figure. This focus on individual character study was central to Rijn's practice, often relying on anonymous models or family members to explore human expression and light.

As a significant piece dating from the period 1601 to 1650, this print is a valuable document of Dutch artistic trends in the mid-seventeenth century. It confirms Rijn’s status not only as a great painter but also as one of history's most innovative printmakers. The enduring popularity and technical quality of the artist’s graphic work mean that fine quality prints and reference images are frequently found in the public domain. This work is currently held in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.