Plate 43: ‘The good Samaritan’ after the circle of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 – 1669).

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669)

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is regarded as the most important Dutch master of the 17th century and as one of the greatest painters and etchers in the European art world. In his career he produced no fewer than three hundred paintings, hundreds of etchings and thousands of drawings. Rembrandt himself never came to Italy, but his work is nevertheless visibly influenced by the Caravaggism. He was a master of the play between light and dark, which led to many lively works full of drama and contrast.

Many works can still be found in various museums, including his self-portraits. He was very confident and saw himself as a history and portrait painter. He portrayed himself as a king from the East or as the apostle Paul in his self-portraits. Not only himself, but also his wife Saskia Uylenburgh, his girlfriend Hedrickje Stoffels and his son Titus van Rijn are frequently portrayed in his paintings. After a very successful career, Rembrandt died on October 4, 1669 in Amsterdam.

‘Etching’

Etching is considered the most important technique for producing prints by old masters. It is a very traditional process discovered by Daniel Hopfer (1470 – 1536) in Germany. Daniel Hopfer already used the etching technique on combat clothing before applying it to make a print. A strong acid or pickling agent is used to cut metal surfaces (usually copper, zinc or steel). The metal plate is covered with a waxy soil which is resistant to acid. The artist then scratches his or her design into the metal with different types of etching needles. After a bath of acid or pickling agent, the scratched metal undergoes a redox reaction, leaving the drawing in the wax on the plate. Ink is poured over the plate and wiped off again to fill in the scratched areas. By then pressing the plate in paper, an etching is created.