B 85

The Virgin with the instruments of the passion

French title:

Vierge de douleury
German title:

Die Schmerzenmutter
Dutch title:

De Maagd Maria met de passiewerktuigen
New Hollstein:

207
Rembrandt in Black & White:

Not included

Etching and drypoint. Ca. 1642.
Size: 110 x 89 mm. Surface: 98 cm2.
Not signed, not dated. Estimates of the date vary from 1636 (Middleton) via 1641 (Hind, Biörklund and Hinterding) to 1652-53-54 (White-Boon and Münz).

NH 207 – Only state

Zoom

Copper Plate

The plate was not part of any of the early auctions or major collections and is almost certainly not in existence anymore.

Rarity of impressions

In auctions (2000-2025): not seen in auctions
In collections (New Hollstein 2013): extremely rare Early: 12 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): O-, unobtainable

Subject/Sitter

This emotional, saddening picture shows Mary with the instruments used to torture Christ, the crown of thorns and the nails used to fasten His body to the cross.

Inspiration

Hind and Münz assume that the Mater Dolorosa by Titian served as an example to Rembrandt.

Copies

There is one copy in the same direction by W.J.Smith (1824, 110 x 87 mm, WB, ).

Attributions and reviews

The etching is considered as special by Rovinsky.
The plate was made by a pupil according to Blanc.
The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Middleton, Seidlitz, Coppier and Singer.

States

Almost all authors list one state only. In later impressions the burr is gone and the ground is cleaned. Some (e.g. Hind and Münz) consider this a separate state.

Prints and collections

Presently, only twelve impressions of this rare print are known. Early impressions show burr under the Virgin’s arm, on her neck and on her veil.

Watermarks

Foolscap; Foolscap with five-pointed collar.

Literature

H 193, BB 41-5, G 89, M 202, Mz 234, RA 272-274, Cl , W , Bl , Du , CD
Rembrandt’s Women 2001, p. 200;

Rembrandt in Black & White: Not included