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 significant print created by Christian Josi (Dutch, died 1828) in 1826, executed after an original work by the celebrated master Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669). This piece demonstrates Josi's skilled rendering of the figure, replicating the psychological depth and characteristic lighting often associated with Rembrandt’s portraiture. The medium utilized is soft ground etching in black on white wove paper. This technique allows for a subtle, granular line quality that closely mimics the texture of chalk or crayon drawings, differentiating it from the sharper lines typically found in traditional etching.

Created in the Netherlands during the early 19th century, this work belongs to a popular period where contemporary printmakers sought to study and disseminate the techniques and compositions of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age. Josi, known for his expertise in printmaking, produced this extensive collection of imitations to serve as instructional or reference materials, preserving and popularizing the stylistic hallmarks of masters like Rembrandt. The work captures a dignified figure seated in an armchair, embodying the intimate and reflective portraiture favored by the earlier master.

Josi's meticulous execution ensures that this interpretation holds considerable historical and technical interest for students of art history and printmaking alike. The classification of the piece as a print confirms its function as a widely reproducible artistic study. As a key example of the ongoing reverence for and study of Old Masters, this work is housed within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, furthering the accessibility of these historical prints, many of which are now available through public domain resources.