Rembrandt's Father (Le Père de Rembrandt, Rembrandt's Vater)

Rembrandt's Father (Le Père de Rembrandt, Rembrandt's Vater) is a detailed 19th-century etching on paper executed by the artist Appold (likely American or British, 19th century), published by the English firm of Albert Henry Payne. This work is a reproductive print, based on a portrait believed at the time to depict the father of the famed Dutch master, Rembrandt van Rijn. The highly skilled use of the etching medium captures the deep shadows and dramatic lighting characteristic of the original composition, often associated with tenebrism. The subject, depicted in heavy shadow, possesses a gravitas typical of Dutch Golden Age portraiture, emphasizing age and experience through meticulous textural detail, especially in the sitter's face and clothing.

Created between 1800 and 1899, this piece reflects the high demand for copies of Old Master works across Europe and the United States. Publishers like Payne capitalized on this interest by translating paintings into readily collectible prints, ensuring the imagery of major European art reached a wide international audience. While Appold and the publisher worked in Europe, the inclusion of this object in a prominent American collection speaks to the cultural exchange of the era. The work is classified under “Other” media within the collection, confirming its identity as a reproductive print. This specific example resides in the holdings of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars insight into 19th-century graphic arts. Today, the work is available through public domain access, furthering the legacy of both Appold’s technical skill and the enduring visual power of the original compositions he reproduced.