Jan Uytenbogaert, Preacher of the Remonstrants by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt van Rijn
1606-1669 | Dutch

Jan Uytenbogaert, Preacher of the Remonstrants

New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt) 153, state 5/9
Bartsch 279, state 5/6
Printed by Rembrandt
Signed "Rembrandt F" (upper left) and dated 1635 (upper right)
Etching on paper

Among the very best of the Old Masters stands the revered Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, arguably the greatest etcher in the history of art. The most important Dutch printmaker of all time, his oeuvre features close to 300 authenticated prints, and his innovative techniques in the medium are without precedent. This superb etching, printed by Rembrandt himself and entitled Jan Uytenbogaert, Preacher of the Remonstrants, displays the artistry and detail for which Rembrandt's prints are renowned.

Bedecked in elaborate garb, Jan Uytenbogaert, an Armenian preacher, sits at his study, an open book in front of him. Rembrandt highlights his subject by illuminating him in light, creating a strong contrast against the dark, draped background. Intricate lines convey the feel of rich fabric, particularly on Uytenbogaert’s collar as well as the fur-lined coat thrown over his shoulders.

As the leader of the Dutch Remonstrants, Uytenbogaert (1577-1644) was one of the most influential men in Holland until his exile in 1618. The Remonstrants (or the Remonstrant Brotherhood) was a Protestant movement that split from the Dutch Reformed Church in the early 17th century. Until Uytenbogaert’s banishment, in the wake of the victory of orthodox Calvinism over Remonstrantism, he exercised great political sway, partly in his function as tutor of Prince Frederik Hendrik. After his return to Holland he settled in the Hague, but paid frequent visits to Amsterdam.

This portrait of Uytenbogaert was Rembrandt’s first official commission for an etched portrait. Until this work, he had made portrait etchings only of members of his family. The official nature of this portrait is underlined by its Latin inscription: “He who was honored by the pious and the army was damned by the assembled preachers. Worse handled by fate than by time, he now returns, The Hague, to you.” These types of inscriptions were a common feature of formal etched portraits in the 17th century, though a rarity in Rembrandt’s works.

The fifth state of this portrait is rare and earlier states are unobtainable. Hinterding and Rutgers record only five impressions of the first three states in total. Versions of this etching reside in numerous museums, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the British Museum and the St. Louis Museum of Fine Art. 

Dated 1635

Etching: 9" high x 7 1/4" wide (22.86 x 18.42 cm)
Frame: 19 1/2" high x 15 1/2" wide x 1 1/8" deep (49.55 x 39.37 x 2.86 cm)

Literature:
Bartsch, Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Principal Dutch and Flemish Painters, 279, state 5(6)
Hinterding, Erik, Jacob Rutgers, and Ger Luijten, New Hollstein: Rembrandt, Vol. I, p. 246, cat. no. 153