Ephraim Bonus, Jewish physician 1647

This is Rembrandt van Rijn's etching of Ephraim Bueno, the Jewish physician, made in the Netherlands. At this time, Amsterdam was a haven for Jewish people fleeing persecution in other parts of Europe. As a successful doctor and scholar, Bueno was a prominent figure in the Jewish community. Rembrandt made several images of Jewish people, imbuing them with dignity and individuality. The image creates meaning through the sitter's clothing, identifying him as a member of the professional classes, while the setting, seemingly in Bueno’s home, indicates that he is a man of some substance. The setting is also significant, given that Rembrandt’s studio was in the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam. Art historians consult documents, such as letters and inventories, to discover more about the social context and artistic intention, so we might better understand how art shapes society and reflects its values.