Portret van de apotheker Abraham Francen

Portret van de apotheker Abraham Francen by Rembrandt van Rijn is a significant work classified as a print, executed on paper. Although the date range spans 1655 to 1807, the original composition is dated to the mid-17th century, likely produced using etching or drypoint, techniques for which Rijn was internationally renowned. This particular work captures the likeness of Abraham Francen, an apothecary and close associate of the artist in Amsterdam during a period of considerable personal and financial upheaval for Rijn.

Francen was not only a professional acquaintance but also a print collector who notably assisted Rijn with documentation and during the dispersal of his assets. Rijn portrays Francen with characteristic intensity, focusing on the sitter’s expression and the textural details typical of the Dutch Golden Age aesthetic. Unlike Rijn’s painted portraits, the artist often utilized his prints to explore subtle psychological depth through meticulous line work and the manipulation of shadow, achieving dramatic effects even within the constraints of black and white media.

This valuable piece forms part of the expansive collection of prints and drawings held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it serves as an important documentation of 17th-century Dutch artistic and social circles. Due to the artwork’s age and prominence, impressions of this masterwork are frequently referenced in art historical literature and, in many states, are considered part of the public domain, making high-quality reproductions of these foundational prints accessible to scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.