Ephraim Bonus, Jewish Physician

The Portuguese Jewish doctor Ephraim Bonus was a distinguished man who supported a printing house owned by the artist’s neighbor. Rembrandt portrayed Bonus at the base of a staircase with his hand resting on the banister.

This is Rembrandt’s only print based on an oil sketch. Rembrandt translated tonal qualities of the sketch into pictorial equivalents in etching. Except for the white collar and cuff, Bonus is dressed in black before a darkened architectural background. In the second state, the dark-on-dark treatment allowed Rembrandt to skillfully demonstrate tonal harmony, creating rich passages of saturated blacks such as the cloak, aided with drypoint lines, and mid-tone wall areas that appear gray. The darkened setting and the subject’s contemplative expression create a sober tone, suggesting Bonus’ respectful and serious character.