Etching and drypoint. Ca. 1639.
Size: 61 x 59 mm. Surface: 36 cm2.
Not signed, not dated.
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): not seen in auctions
In collections (New Hollstein – 2013): extremely rare Early: 14 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): RRRR+, an almost unobtainable rarity ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Subject/Sitter
It would have been more surprising if Rembrandt would not have drawn a typical Dutch scene like this one, than the fact that he did.
The skater shown here holds a long stick in his hands, which was used to provide a means of survival if the man unexpectedly ran into a hole in the ice.
Copies
There is a copy in the same direction by Leopold Flameng, in Blanc’s catalogue (1859-61), p. II 352.
Attributions and reviews
The etching is considered as special by Hind and Rovinski.
The plate was made by a pupil according to Münz (Ferdinand Bol).
The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Seidlitz, Coppier, Michel, Campbell Dodgson and Singer.
States
All authors list one state only.
Prints and collections
About fourteen impressions of this etching are known, all in major museums. Early impressions in the British Museum and in the Bibliothèque Nationale show much burr.
Literature
H 166, BB 39-1, G 151, M 103, Mz 335, RA 446-447, Cl 153, W 153, Bl 121, Du 152, CD 321 Rohde 2005, p. 128;
