Portrait of Jacob de Gheyn III
Rembrandt·1632
Historical Context
This 1632 portrait of Jacob de Gheyn III, a wealthy art collector and engraver's son, is now in the Dulwich Picture Gallery and has been called the most stolen painting in history, having been taken and recovered four times. De Gheyn was a close friend of Constantijn Huygens, who had helped introduce Rembrandt to the Amsterdam elite. The small panel exemplifies the meticulous finish of Rembrandt's early portraiture, with the sitter's lace collar, mustache, and knowing expression all rendered with extraordinary precision that justified the high fees Rembrandt was already commanding.
Technical Analysis
The broad white collar and dark costume are rendered with crisp precision, while the sitter's shrewd, somewhat amused expression is captured with Rembrandt's characteristic psychological insight.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the crisp, precise white collar — the technical centerpiece of this most-stolen painting in the world.
- ◆Look at the sitter's knowing, slightly amused expression — a man who collects art and knows how to be painted.
- ◆Observe the small panel's miniature-like precision: Rembrandt demonstrating that his attention to detail matched any rival's.
- ◆Find the psychological wit in the portrait: de Gheyn appears to understand the game of portraiture and to be playing it with the painter.
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