Artwork
Portrait of Dr. Ephraïm Bueno
Portrait of Dr. Ephraïm Bueno is an oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
These formal qualities reflect Rembrandt's technical mastery and his ability to convey depth through subtle tonal modulation.
The work is executed in oil paint on an oak panel, measuring approximately 19 by 15.5 centimeters. The surface shows fine brushwork and a restrained chiaroscuro that emphasizes the sitter's psychological presence, while the composition follows the conventions of 17th‑century Dutch portraiture with a neutral background and direct gaze. These formal qualities reflect Rembrandt's technical mastery and his ability to convey depth through subtle tonal modulation.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of Dr. Ephraïm Bueno was painted by Rembrandt in 1640. It was created as a commissioned portrait of the physician Efraim Hisquiahu Bueno. After its creation the work entered a documented ownership chain that began with Willem Six and subsequently passed through Philip van Dijk, Gerrit Braamcamp, Pieter Fouquet, J. Goll van Franckenstein, Lucretia Johanna van Winter, Hendrik Six van Hillegom, Jan Pieter Six VI, Pieter Hendrik Six van Vromade, Jan Six van Vromade, and Fritz Mannheimer before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum and later held by the Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit, the Munich Central Collecting Point, and the Führermuseum.
The painting measures 19 × 15 cm and is executed in oil on oak panel, depicting a man identified as Efraim Hisquiahu Bueno.
The painting is held by the Rijksmuseum. Its provenance traces through numerous private collectors, including Willem Six, Philip van Dijk, Gerrit Braamcamp, Pieter Fouquet, J. Goll van Franckenstein, Lucretia Johanna van Winter, and several generations of the Six family (Hendrik Six van Hillegom, Jan Pieter Six VI, Pieter Hendrik Six van Vromade, and Jan Six van Vromade), as well as Fritz Mannheimer. During the mid-20th century, the work passed through the Munich Central Collecting Point and was listed for the Führermuseum before entering the collection of the Stichting Nederlands Kunstbezit.
Overview
Rembrandt van Rijn painted the portrait of Dr. Ephraïm Bueno in 1640. Executed in oil on canvas, the work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age portrait tradition and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented as a middle‑aged physician, identifiable by his solemn expression, neatly trimmed beard, and a white band wrapped around his wrist, likely a medical bandage. His attire, a dark coat, black hat and white collar, underscores his professional status.
Context
The portrait reflects the 17th‑century Dutch interest in individual achievement and the emerging status of physicians. Rembrandt’s choice of a solitary, introspective pose aligns with his broader practice of portraying sitters with psychological depth.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
