Artwork
Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol: the Larger Plate
Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol: the Larger Plate is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1658, this print by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol, a contemporary figure known for his literary connections. Executed on a metal plate, the work combines etching, drypoint, and burin techniques, resulting in a monochrome image that emphasizes line and texture over colour.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows a man in period attire, his left hand holding a small book or sheet of paper while the right rests on his chest. The expression is sober, with a high forehead and a neatly trimmed beard, suggesting a scholarly or contemplative character. The plain dark background isolates the sitter, directing attention to his features and the objects he holds.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employed a hybrid of printmaking methods: etched lines for broader tonal areas, drypoint for velvety, burr‑rich outlines, and burin work to sharpen details. This combination produces varied textures—the crisp folds of clothing contrast with the soft rendering of skin, while the overall line quality retains the artist’s characteristic depth and immediacy.
History & Provenance
The plate bears the name of its sitter, Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol, a noted poet and patron of the arts in 17th‑century Amsterdam. The work was likely commissioned to commemorate his literary activities, and surviving impressions have passed through private collections before entering museum holdings, where they serve as evidence of Rembrandt’s late‑period portraiture.
Context
During the 1650s Rembrandt focused increasingly on intimate portraiture, often using print media to reach a broader audience. This piece reflects the artist’s mature handling of light and shadow, and his interest in portraying intellectual figures of the Dutch Golden Age with psychological nuance.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
