Portret van Rembrandt van Rijn

About this artwork

height 353 mm x width 252 mm

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Dutch artist Pieter van Bleeck offers a striking posthumous portrait of the celebrated 17th-century master Rembrandt van Rijn Created in 1747 more than seventy years Rembrandt’s death, the captures the painter’s features—his intense gaze tousled hair, richly textured clothing—in a that reflects the lasting reverence for his artistic legacy. Van Bleeck, active in the Netherlands and England, specialized in reproductive prints that helped circulate images of famous figures to broader audiences. As an engraving, the medium itself carries historical weight. The precise incised lines on a copper plate allowed for multiple impressions, making Rembrandt’s likeness accessible beyond elite collections at a time when interest in Dutch Golden Age art was growing across Europe. The print’s modest dimensions (353 × 252 mm) suggest it designed for personal study or inclusion in print albums rather than grand display. Today, the work stands as a testament to how later generations honored Rembrandt not only through his paintings but also through the reproductive arts, ensuring his image and influence endured well into the 18th century.

About the Artist

Pieter van Bleeck · 1700–1764

Probably born in the Hague. He was a painter of portraits and is particularly remembered for his portraits of actors in their roles. He was also an engraver and made engravings after works by Murillo, van Dyck, Rembrandt, Lely, and others. Comment on works: Portraits; theatrical scenes