B 166

Beggar with a crippled hand leaning on a stick

French title:

Gueux dans le gout de Callot
German title:

Der Bettler in ´Callot Geschmack´
Dutch title:

Bedelaar met misvormde hand, leunend op een stok
New Hollstein:

39
Rembrandt in Black & White:

223

Etching. Ca. 1629.
Size: 97 later 93, finally 90 x 42 mm. Surface: 42, later 39, finally 38 cm2.
Not signed, not dated. Dates vary from 1628-29 (Münz, Hinterding) to 1631 (Hind, Middleton).

NH 39 – 6th state of VI

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Copper Plate

The plate was not part of any of the major, early collections and is almost certainly lost.

Rarity of impressions

In auctions (2000-2025): extremely rare Late: 2 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
In collections (New Hollstein – 2013): very rare Early: 8 Late: 22 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⊙
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): O-, an unobtainable rarity.

Description

This etching is generally considered to be a pendant of B 168, Old beggar woman with a gourd.
Despite the large number of states, impression are very rare. This leads to the conclusion that Rembrandt may have considered this plate to be an experimental one.

Copies

There is a copy in the same direction by William James Smith, included in his book (1824, 89 x 41 mm).

Attributions and reviews

The plate was made by a pupil according to Seidlitz and Campbell Dodgson.
The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Coppier, Michel and Singer.
Many authors think that later states were by the hand of a pupil, probably Johannes van Vliet.

States

NH lists six states, of which only the first by Rembrandt, all later states probably not. Most other authors list five states. Nowell-Usticke six. All states are contemporary.
In the 1st state (NH, WB, R471) the plate is uncut.
In the 2nd state (NH only) cross-hatching is added to the shoulder and to the blank spot at the bottom of the cloak.
In the 3rd state (NH/2nd state WB, R472) the shadows on the neck, cloak, the legs and at bottom left are strengthened.
In the 4th state (NH/3rd state WB, R473/2nd state NU) the plate is cut to 93 x 42 mm. There is additional shading to the cloak. 8
In the 5th state (NH/4th state WB, NU, R474) the plate is further reduced to 90 x 42 mm. The cap is rounded.
In the 6th state (NH, NU/5th state WB final, R475) more cross-hatching is added to the cloak.

Prints and collections

Of the 6th state (NH, NU/5th state WB final, R475) only one impression is known, in the Albertina (Vienna).

Literature

H 79, BB 30-15, G 159, M 74, Mz 106, RA 471-475, Cl 163, W 163, Bl 130, Du 161, CD 285, S 69-70.
Broos 2008, p 26; Hinterding 2008, p. 311-313;

Rembrandt in Black & White: 223

NH: 6th and final state/WB: 5th and final state.
A strong, dark impression of the very rare print, on thin laid paper. With wiping scratches in the background and partly inly edges. A pinpoint spot in the upper left part. An area of adhesive residue and associated skinning verso.
Sheet: 90 x 43 mm, cut at the platemark on all sides (=0%).
No watermark, vertical chain lines.

Provenance

In the collection of the Albertina in Vienna (Lugt 5d, used until 1948), their deaccession mark verso.
Probably in their sale with Boerner in Leipzig in May 1925 or May 1932.
With Galerie Michael, Beverly Hills (CA) in July 2002, according to a Certificate of Authenticity attached to the frame.
In the collection of John Villarino, an American set designer;

Exhibitions

Sordid and Sacred, the beggar in Rembrandt’s etchings, 35 etchings from the Villarino Collection, touring in the USA between 2006 and 2019;
Rembrandt, de fotograaf, Westfries Museum (Hoorn), June 2024 – January 2025;