The Artist drawing from the Model (B., Holl. 192; H. 231)

Details

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
The Artist drawing from the Model (B., Holl. 192; H. 231)
etching with drypoint and engraving, circa 1639, second, final state, watermark Strasbourg Bend, with narrow margins, the tip of the lower left corner made up and with a spot of old adhesive, a short tear and minor skinning along the reverse of the left sheet edge, the title in pen and ink on the reverse, otherwise in generally good condition
P. 230 x 183 mm., S. 234 x 188 mm.

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Lot Essay

Questions as to the meaning of the composition and the reasons for it being left unfinished have puzzled commentators for centuries. Some have ascertained that Rembrandt died before it could be completed, others have said that it was deliberately left unfinished to show students how his plates were built up. Whilst this seems unlikely it remains a mystery why the plate was left in this state. The fact that he printed several editions of it at different times should imply that he was satisfied with its incompleteness. However, such was (and is) the appetite of collectors for his 'oddities' that commercial considerations may have prevented him from discarding or reworking the plate completely.

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