Bust of a Man in Profile to the Left

Art Historical Context

Jan Lievens' *Bust of a Man in Profile to the Left*, 17th-century etching its second state, offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the Dutch Golden Age. Measuring 6 5/8 × 5 11/16 inches (16.9 × 14.5 cm), this intimate print from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Prints department depicts a male figure in strict profile, evoking the classical tradition of Roman coins and Renaissance medals. Acquired through the bequest of Grace M Pugh in 1985, it showcases Lievens' skill in capturing human dignity with subtle line work. As a leading Dutch artist (1607–1674) and close contemporary of Rembrandt—both hailing from Leiden—Lievens was a master of Baroque portraiture. His works often blurred the lines between painting, drawing, and printmaking, reflecting the era's innovative spirit. Etching, his chosen medium here, involved incising lines into a metal plate with acid, allowing for precise, expressive strokes that conveyed texture and depth on a small scale. This second-state impression highlights refinements to the plate, likely burnishing or additional lines for greater clarity and contrast—a common practice among 17th-century printmakers. For museumgoers, it exemplifies how prints democratized art, making Lievens' elegant studies accessible beyond elite patrons, while inviting reflection on the anonymous sitter's quiet intensity.

About the Artist

Jan Lievens · 1607–1674

Jan Lievens (1607–1674) was born in Leiden and showed exceptional artistic promise from an early age, beginning his training with the local painter Joris van Schooten before traveling to Amsterdam around 1617 to study for two years under Pieter Lastman—the same teacher who would later instruct Rembrandt van Rijn. Lievens and Rembrandt, near-contemporaries born in the same city, subsequently shared...