REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN

The Presentation in the Temple in the Dark Manner (B., Holl. 50; H. 279; BB. 57-1)

Details

REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN
The Presentation in the Temple in the Dark Manner (B., Holl. 50; H. 279; BB. 57-1)
etching and drypoint, circa 1654, on laid paper, watermark Arms of Amsterdam, a very fine impression of this extremely rare print, clean wiped and showing excellent contrasts, the drypoint lines with burr, with narrow margins almost all round, a very small and unobtrusive repair at the bottom edge of the subject, traces of old glue on the reverse top edge showing through to the margin recto, otherwise in very good condition
P. 8¼ x 6¼in. (208 x 160mm.)

Provenance

Dr. Otto Schäfer, his stamp verso (not in Lugt)

Lot Essay

'And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.... and to offer a sacrifice in the law of the Lord "a pair of turtle doves or two dancing pigeons"' Luke 2:22

This literal and nocturnal interpretation of Luke captures the moment of the Nunc Dimittis at which Simeon offers up the infant Christ to the Priest. Rembrandt concentrates attention through the dramatic use of light on the three central figures, allowing the other participants in the drama, namely Joseph and Mary, bottom left and the prophetess Anna in the upper right balcony to be hidden but important elements in the balance of the compostion. The elaborately costumed figure of the High Priest looms in the shadows.