Jan Cornelis Sylvius, Preacher
Print, Intaglio print (Etching and burin) • Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque
Medium & Technique
Etching, burin, and drypoint on laid paper; utilizing cross-hatching and fine stippling to create tonal depth.
Creation Period
1646
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 278 x 188 mm (plate size); Portrait format
Subject Description
A posthumous portrait of the preacher Jan Cornelis Sylvius (Rembrandt's wife Saskia's cousin). The subject is depicted within an oval frame, reaching his hand out as if addressing a congregation. A book lies open before him. The composition features Latin verses below by Caspar Barlaeus and P. Scriverius.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (considering age); visible toning and potential minor foxing.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $15,000 (Highly dependent on the state of the print and paper quality)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $12,000
Provenance History
Likely a later state (post-1646) or a 19th-century pull; no specific dealer stamps visible, but the framing style suggests mid-20th century private ownership history.
Art Historical Significance
One of Rembrandt’s most significant posthumous portraits. It is celebrated for its masterful use of shadows and the illusionistic 'reaching' hand that breaks the pictorial plane, a hallmark of Baroque dynamism.
Notable Features
Features a complex Latin inscription and an oval 'tromp l’oeil' frame structure. The shadow cast by the hand onto the frame is a distinctive technical achievement of this specific work.
Condition Issues
Generalized paper yellowing (toning), minor undulations in the paper, potential light staining, and possible archival acidity from the wooden frame backing.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning by a paper conservator recommended; re-frame using museum-grade acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further darkening.