Portrait of a Man in an Armchair, from Collection d'imitations de Dessins d'après les Principaux Maîtres Hollandais et Flamands

"Portrait of a Man in an Armchair, from Collection d'imitations de Dessins d'après les Principaux Maîtres Hollandais et Flamands" is a sophisticated print created in 1826 by Christian Josi (Dutch, died 1828) after the celebrated Golden Age master, Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669). This work demonstrates the enduring reverence for 17th-century Netherlandish art among later generations of artists and collectors. Josi meticulously reproduced the visual qualities of Rembrandt’s original drawing, adapting it for publication within a major collection dedicated to documenting Dutch and Flemish masters.

Josi employed a complex, multi-process method to achieve the nuanced tonality and rich texture required to imitate a subtle drawing. The work utilizes soft ground etching, aquatint, and roulette, enhanced by delicate touches of drypoint. This combination of techniques allowed the artist to achieve the deep, rich blacks and varied gray scale necessary to replicate the characteristic chiaroscuro effects often associated with Rembrandt’s handling of light and shadow. Printed in black on high-quality white laid paper, this piece emphasizes the draughtsman-like quality of the original source material.

The creation of extensive collections of reproductive prints, such as the one containing this work, was a common practice in the 19th-century Netherlands, serving to disseminate and ensure the widespread study and appreciation of historical masterworks. The careful rendering by Josi preserves the character and gravitas of the unknown sitter. Today, this print, a significant example of early 19th-century reproductive etching, is housed within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, making the image widely accessible through public domain initiatives focused on classic prints.