Historic Rembrandt Copper Plate Donated to Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced the donation of a rare copper plate created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1635. This significant acquisition, depicting the stoning of Saint Stephen, was gifted by Sir Simon Schama and Dr. Virginia E. Papaioannou, enhancing the museum's collection and offering visitors a deeper insight into the renowned artist's printmaking techniques.
The newly acquired plate is immediately on display as part of the temporary exhibition "Art in the Making," located in the Rijksmuseum Print Cabinets. This special presentation allows visitors to view the physical plate alongside prints made from it, revealing the intricate process behind Rembrandt's etchings.
A Rare Addition to Dutch Public Collections
This donation marks a notable event for national art collections. Rembrandt is known to have produced 314 copper plates for his etchings during his career, which spanned from 1627 to 1665. With this gift, only seven of these original plates are now in public ownership across the Netherlands, and two of them reside within the Rijksmuseum's extensive holdings.
Sir Simon Schama, a distinguished historian and author with a focus on Rembrandt and 17th-century Netherlands, shared his sentiments on the donation. He expressed that despite a strong personal attachment to the plate for decades, he and his family felt it belonged to the public and, specifically, to the city associated with Rembrandt.
Taco Dibbits, Director of the Rijksmuseum, emphasized the importance of such artifacts. He highlighted that Rembrandt's copper plates offer a unique window into the artist's creative process, and the museum is delighted to add this seventh plate to the national public collection.
Experiencing Rembrandt's Process at the Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt’s etchings are celebrated worldwide, and the process behind them is equally fascinating. To create an etching, Rembrandt would coat a copper plate with a wax and resin mixture, then draw into this coating with a needle, exposing the copper underneath. Acid was then applied to etch the lines into the metal. After cleaning, the plate was inked and pressed onto paper to transfer the image.
The donated plate, featuring "The Stoning of Saint Stephen," provides a direct example of this artistic method. It is showcased in the display cabinet dedicated to early 17th-century prints, alongside various states or versions of prints made from the etching. These companion pieces help illustrate how Rembrandt refined his compositions over time, giving visitors a comprehensive understanding of his original artistic vision and subsequent modifications.
The Art of Printmaking: Beyond Rembrandt
The "Art in the Making" display extends beyond Rembrandt, encompassing all print cabinets within the Rijksmuseum. The exhibition traces the development of various printmaking and visual reproduction techniques through the centuries. For instance, the 16th-century cabinet features recently acquired preliminary studies by Adriaen de Weerdt, presented with his prints to illuminate the working methods of this lesser-known master.
The museum also recently received six copper plates by Adriaen van Ostade (1610-1685), which depict diverse aspects of rural life from the late 17th century. The exhibition further explores the evolution of Japanese woodcuts in the 18th century and showcases early photographic images, such as daguerreotypes, from the 19th century. These sections highlight the constant innovation and experimentation artists undertook to advance their respective mediums.
Visitors interested in delving deeper into Amsterdam's cultural offerings, including other exhibitions and museums, can explore Musemap (musemap.art) for more information. Discover other remarkable collections and current shows by browsing museums in Amsterdam or checking what's on.
