Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

The etched portraits of the late 1650's are arguably Rembrandt's greatest. Among the most famous of these is that of Jan Lutma (c.1584-1669), one of the leading goldsmiths and jewellers of his time, who was still working at the time this portrait was etched. He is shown with what we must assume are two examples of his work - possibly a candlestick in his right hand, and a chased silver drinking bowl on the table beside him, sitting alongside some of the tools of his trade. His half-closed eyes attest to problems he experienced with his eyesight in old age. He was also a collector who owned a large print collection, and his son, Jan Lutma the Younger, was an etcher.