Rembrandt gravant une planche sur une plance, haut et entroite
German title:
Rembrandt radierend
Dutch title:
Rembrandt etsend
New Hollstein:
304
Etching. 1658.
Size: 118 x 64 mm. Surface: 76 cm2.
Signed and dated, in the lower margin: Rembrandt f. 1658
Copper Plate
The copperplate was not in one of the early sales or collections and is almost certainly not anymore in existence.
Rarity of impressions
In auctions (2000-2025): not seen in auctions
In collections (New Hollstein 2013): extremely rare Early: 2 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): O-, an unobtainable rarity
Description
This is the last of the etched self-portraits. As he did in several paintings and etchings, Rembrandt depicted himself as an artist. In this case, as an etcher. The plate, resting on a cushion, is well visible.
Related
Because of its rarity the print was not known to Gersaint and not included in his catalogue of 1751. That may be the reason it was rejected by many authors. From a stylistic point of view there is no reason for such doubts.
Later authors, like White-Boon and the New Hollstein, have accepted its authenticity.
Copies
NH lists three copies, all in the same direction. Copy A is by Pierre-Francois Basan, inscribed Rembrandt 1645 (153 x 87 mm, WSB 1).
Copy B is included in Holmes Laurie 1834, signed GBf and inscribed Rembrandt fect 1655 (09 x 65 mm).Copy C is anonymous (130 x 76 mm).
States
All authors list one state only
Prints and collections
There are only two impressions known, a rather weak one in the Bibliothèque Nationale and a darker version in the Albertina. They are both printed on Japanese paper.
Literature
H 300, BB 81Rej., Y 11, M173, Mz 28, RA 519, Cl -, W -, Bl 150, Du 182, Do 306
