Who painted The Goldsmith?

The Goldsmith was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655.

Where can I see The Goldsmith?

The Goldsmith is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Goldsmith?

The Goldsmith is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Goldsmith?

Museum-quality prints of The Goldsmith are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Goldsmith

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1655

The Goldsmith is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rembrandt van Rijn produced the print The Goldsmith in 1655 using a combination of etching and drypoint. The work presents a single figure, a goldsmith, engaged in his trade within a cluttered workshop, rendered in the characteristic chiaroscuro of the artist’s late period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on the artisan at his bench, clothed in a long coat and hat, his gaze fixed on the task at hand. The goldsmith’s concentrated posture and the careful rendering of his hands and tools convey a quiet dedication to craft, inviting reflection on the dignity of manual labor.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employed both etched lines and drypoint burr to achieve a rich tonal range. The interplay of deep shadows and illuminated surfaces creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the fine hatching highlights the texture of metal tools and fabric, exemplifying the dramatic lighting associated with the Baroque aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The print was created in the mid‑1650s, a period when Rembrandt increasingly turned to printmaking to explore narrative and everyday subjects. Surviving impressions are held in several European collections, documenting the work’s continued presence in institutional holdings since the artist’s lifetime.