Rembrandts vrouw als Joodse bruid 1763

William Pether created this mezzotint in 1763, presenting Rembrandt’s wife in the guise of a Jewish bride. It reflects the 18th-century fascination with representing cultural ‘types.’ But why this particular interest in Jewish identity? England, where this print was made, had readmitted Jews in the 17th century, and by the 1760s, their presence was becoming more visible, and with it, more controversial. The print, therefore, enters a fraught social and political landscape. Note the use of the term ‘character,’ which suggests a theatrical performance rather than a claim to authentic representation. To understand this image fully, we need to delve into the archives: explore demographic shifts, debates about religious tolerance, and the era's visual culture. Understanding art means understanding its complex social and institutional contexts.