Bust of an old woman in furred cloak and heavy headdress
French title:
Vieille avec voile noir
German title:
Alte mit dunklem Schleier
Dutch title:
Hoofd van een oude vrouw in een bontjas
New Hollstein:
25
Etching. Ca. 1629. Size: 59 x 53 mm. Surface: 31 cm2.
Signed in monogram and dated in the 2nd state in the upper left corner: RH 1631
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: 3 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
In collections (New Hollstein – 2013): very rare Early: 1 Late: 43 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⊙
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): RRR+, a very rare piece, rejected by many ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⊙
Description
From the only impression of the 1st state we know that Rembrandt has first drawn the head, using very short lines and dots. He then added the torso, using the veil as the connection between head and body. As he did in The artist’s mother; head and bust, three-quarters right (B 354/NH 5).
Subject/Sitter
It could well be that Rembrandt’s mother is pictured here, although the woman shows some resemblance with other models used by Rembrandt, like in ‘Woman with a high headdress wrapped around the chin’ (B 358 – NHD 58), dated a year later.
Copies
There is one copy in reverse, attributed to Thomas Worlidge (80 x 63 mm, WB, not traced by NHD)
Attributions and reviews
Most authors have rejected this etching.
States
NH lists ten states, only the first one by Rembrandt. Most other authors list seven states, Nowell-Usticke lists one trial proof and six states.
The 1st state (NH, WB/trial state A NU) is still uncomplete.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB/1st state NU) the plate is completed. Monogram and date are added.
In the 3rd state (NH/2nd state NU) diagonals are added to the triangle of shadows left of the fur collar. A small white are appears above the left eye.
In the 4th state (NH/3rd state WB, NU) some more work is added to the fur collar left of the ear. The tiny white space is shaded with horizontals.
In the 5th state (NH only) vertical shading is added to the upper lip under the left nose.
In the 6th state (NH/4th state WB, NU) shading is added to the headdress above her face.
In the 7th state (NH/5th state WB, NU) the lappet is heavily shaded, cross-hatching is added to the shadows in the triangle near the bottom. Small lines are added to the shadow nostril and on te forehead.
In the 8th state (NH/6th state WB, NU) the neck and collar are shaded.
In the 9th state (NH/7th state WB final) horizontal lines are added to the forehead right above the nose.
In the 10th state (NH only) some diagonal lines are added to the top of the nose, just under the lines of the 9th state.
Prints and collections
Of the 1st state (NU trial proof A) only one impression is known, in the Rijksmuseum.
Watermarks
In the 5th state: Arms of Burgundy and Austria (c. 1632).
Literature
H 82, BB Rej 74, G 322, M 67, Mz 291. Baas 2015 , p. 160-161;
