Ein Jungling (Titus)

Art Historical Context

**Ein Jungling (Titus by Jacob Cornelis Ploos van Amstel is a hand-colored etching in brown paper, capturing the tender likeness of a young boy named Titus—likely a nod to the son of Rembrandt van Rijn, whose works Ploos van Amstel often. Created in the 18th century (date unknown), this print exemplifies the Dutch artist's mastery in transforming paintings into accessible prints, making high art available to a broader audience during the Enlightenment era. Ploos van Amstel (1726–1798), a prominent Amsterdam printmaker and dealer, specialized in etching techniques that mimicked the rich tones and textures of oil paintings. Here, the hand-coloring enhances the etching's subtle brown hues, creating a chiaroscuro effect—deep shadows contrasting soft highlights—that evokes Rembrandt's dramatic Baroque style. Etching involved drawing into a wax-coated copper plate, immersing it in acid to bite lines of varying depth, then inking and printing before meticulous coloring by hand. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this work highlights the cultural shift toward print collecting in 18th-century Europe, where such affordable yet sophisticated pieces democratized art appreciation. Visitors will appreciate its intimate portraiture, blending technical innovation with timeless youthful charm. (198 words)