The Golf Player (B., Holl. 125; H. 272)

Details

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
The Golf Player (B., Holl. 125; H. 272)
etching, 1654, a rich impression of the second, final state, printing with tone, trimmed to the platemark, the upper left corner skilfully repaired, a crease at the tip of the upper right corner, a pinhole at the centre below, in generally good condition
P., S. 95 x 145 mm.

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Lot Essay

The scene is probably set in a country inn, with a young man in the foreground, absorbed in his thoughts. Behind we see a man involved in a game, and a pair in conversation. Rembrandt has left aspects of this sketch plate undefined, leading some commentators to see it as an assemblage of three separate studies.

Although the title refers to golf, the sport depicted here is actually a form of indoor croquet called Beugelen, which involves a spade-like scoop. It was a popular pastime in 16th and 17th century Holland.

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