Etching. Ca. 1629.
Size: 88 x 75, in the 2nd state 74 x 66 mm. Surface: 49 cm2.
Signed in monogram and dated in the upper left corner: Rt 1631 (last digit illegible).
Copper Plate
The plate was not part of any of the major, early collections and is probably not in existence.
Rarity of impressions
In auctions (2000-2025): extremely rare Late: 2 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
In collections (New Hollstein – 2013): extremely rare Early: 1 Late: 7 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): RRRR+, an almost unobtainable rarity ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Description
According to NH Rembrandt is responsible for the original etching, of which only one impression is known, but the subsequent state, of which a limited number of impressions is known, is the work of another artist, possibly Johannes van Vliet or one of Rembrandt’s pupils.
Related
A drawing dated to 1629-31 (Benesch 50, in the Louvre) is similar in style and subject.
Attributions and reviews
The plate was made by a pupil according to Hind, Seidlitz, and Campbell Dodgson.
Münz thinks the 2nd state is reworked by Van Vliet.
The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Coppier, Michel and Singer.
States
NH lists two states, the second not by Rembrandt. Most other authors list one state only, although some, like Hind, White-Boon and Nowell-Usticke, consider a unique impression of a larger plate as a separate state or a trial proof (NU).
The 1st state (NH/Trial proof a NU) is only a sketch, showing the outlines on the larger plate. The signature and date are missing.
In the 2nd state (NH) the plate is heavily reworked, and cut. The signature and date are added.
Prints and collections
The only impression of the larger plate (1st state NH, WB, R833/trial proof a NU) is in the Rijksmuseum.
Literature
H 87, BB 31-19 , G 291, M 59, Mz 43, RA 833-834, Cl 310, W 315, Bl 279, Du 310, CD 295 Rembrandt & Van Vliet 1996, p. 82; Baas 2015, p. 90-91;
