Rijksmuseum Receives Drawing Book by Rombout van Uylenburgh

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced the acquisition, through a donation from the prominent Van Eeghen family, of an exceptionally well-preserved 17th-century drawing book. The manuscript, which has been in the family's safekeeping for more than three centuries, contains around thirty drawings, many depicting biblical scenes, offering rare insight into the artistic practice of the Dutch Golden Age.

The work is attributed to Rombout van Uylenburgh (c. 1615–1688), a painter and art dealer active in Amsterdam and Warsaw, and a cousin of Rembrandt. Van Uylenburgh worked closely with his father, Hendrick, and was instrumental in promoting Rembrandt on the art market. The drawing book likely served as a model or reference manual, revealing how artists of the period used such volumes for personal study and as teaching tools.

The Van Eeghen family, whose ancestor is said to have received the book directly from the artist, has preserved it intact with its original binding. The drawings, executed in pen and brown ink, show Van Uylenburgh's skilled draughtsmanship and his sensitivity to biblical and mythological narratives.

This donation is part of the museum's ongoing effort to enrich its collection through private patronage. The book will be added to the permanent collection and is expected to be displayed in an upcoming exhibition. For scholars and art lovers alike, this rare piece sheds new light on the artistic output of the Netherlands in the 17th century, beyond the most famous studios, and highlights the crucial role of art dealers in the circulation of works and ideas.

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Written by the ADM desk based on Artforum. Read the original article for the full story.