Pennesnijder c. 1625 - 1665

Daniël van den Bremden's etching, *Pennesnijder*, depicts a solitary figure hunched over a desk, meticulously sharpening a quill pen. The work, which dates from c. 1625–1665, is a prime example of the Dutch Golden Age genre of "tronie" (head study) and showcases Bremden’s mastery of chiaroscuro. The inscription below the figure is a Latin proverb: "Only the pious and the wise seek seclusion in a cave; and only the solitary, only then, tends to be less evil." The image, likely intended for a private collection, captures the contemplative nature of scholarship and the quiet concentration of the artist's craft. The work is currently held in the Rijksmuseum.