Etching. 1634. Size: 123 x 102, later 100 mm. Surface: 123 cm2.
Signed and dated, well visible in the upper part: Rembrandt. f. 1634
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): rare Early: 9 ⦿⦿⦿⦿⊙⊙
In collections (New Hollstein – 2013): common Early: 58 ⦿⦿⦿⊙⊙⊙
Catalogue Nowell-Usticke (1967): RR-, a very scarce print ⦿⦿⦿⦿⊙⊙
Picture
We see a young woman in clothes which have been suggested to be Oriental. Her right hand is stuck into the her jacket, covering her heart.
Related
Rembrandt made a painting of an older woman reading in 1631 (Corpus A 37, in the Rijksmuseum).
Copies
There is an anonymous copy (C) in the same direction, inscribed Rembrandt f. 1634 (125 x 100 mm, WB 1)
There are two copies in reverse, Copy A is by Ignace Joseph De Claussin (123 x 101 mm, WB 3, not traced by NHD). Copy B is by Costantino Cumano (119 x 102 mm, WB 2).
Attributions and reviews
The etching is considered as special by Bartsch, De Claussin, Wilson and Blanc.
The plate was made by a pupil according to Coppier.
The plate is not by Rembrandt according to Singer.
States
NH, as most authors, lists three states, Nowell-Usticke one trial proof and two states, all contemporary.
In the 1st state (NH, WB, R906/Trial proof a NU) the horizontal band covering the upper part of the sleeve seems to be too narrow.
In the 2nd state (NH, WB, BB, R907, H/1st state NU) the horizontal band is widened. The plate is slightly cut at the left side, cutting a corner of the book.
In the 3rd state (NH, WB, BB, R908, H/2nd state NU) the outline of the tip of the nose is doubled. A slipped, hooked stroke on the upper lip. NHD lists various places where lines are burnished, like behind her back, and highlights are strengthened, like on the shirt.
Prints and collections
Of the 1st state only three impressions are known, in the Rijksmuseum, in the Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin and in the British Museum.
Watermarks
In the 1st state: Basel crosier A.a (c 1634-35);
In the 2nd state: Arms of Württemberg A.a (c. 1634) and B’.a (c. 1634-36);
In the 3rd state: Single headed eagle with Basel crosier B.a (c. 1637); Strasbourg lily with BA A.b (c. 1638); Foolscap with five-pointed collar K.f (1648-52); Arms of Amsterdam A.zz; Arms of Ravensburg ZZ.zz; Foolscap ZZ.zz;
Literature
H 113, BB 34-D, G 314, M 109, Mz 89, RA 906-908, Cl 335, W 341, Bl 242, Du 334, CD 82, S 134. Rembrandt’s Women 2001, p. 118;
