The Remonstrant Preacher Johannes Uytenbogaert

The Remonstrant Preacher Johannes Uytenbogaert, created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635, is a masterful example of 17th-century Dutch portraiture rendered through the complex printmaking techniques of etching and burin. This specific impression, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s extensive collection of prints, is identified as the fourth state out of six and is notable for its unusual octagonal plate format, which tightly frames the revered sitter. As one of Rembrandt’s most significant engraved portraits, the work captures the gravity and intellectual depth of a pivotal figure in Dutch religious history.

Johannes Uytenbogaert (1557-1644) was a powerful and often controversial figure in the Dutch Republic, known for leading the Remonstrant movement, a more liberal branch of Dutch Calvinism. The creation of this portrait solidified Rembrandt’s status as the preeminent printmaker of his time, demonstrating his ability to infuse technical precision with profound psychological realism. The meticulous use of the burin defines the lines of Uytenbogaert’s aged face and clerical attire, while the darker, more deeply etched passages create dramatic contrast. Rembrandt utilized these media to reflect the subject’s intense focus and intellectual authority. This enduring work remains a critical study of character among the master's graphic portraits.