Cornelis Claesz. Anslo, Preacher (B., Holl. 271; H. 187)

Details

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
Cornelis Claesz. Anslo, Preacher (B., Holl. 271; H. 187)
etching and drypoint, 1641, second, final state, on thin Chine, a very good impression, the drypoint printing particularly well and with no wear in the densely hatched area beneath the brim, with thread margins, minor skinning at the sheet corners on the reverse, otherwise in very good condition, framed
P. 182 x 156 mm., S. 185 x 160 mm.

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Lot Essay

The British Museum possesses two preparatory works in chalk and wash for this portrait of a Mennonite preacher. The more broadly handled of the two was used to transfer the image to the etching plate using the same procedure as that employed for Diana at the Bath (see lot 235).
The nail in the wall may be for the frame which has been taken down and appears lower left. This has been interpreted as a comment on the theological argument, held by the Mennonites, that the word must rule over the image. Alternatively it may simply be a visual pun on the Dutch word 'spijker' which means both 'nail' and 'warehouse', which was the name given to the building where Anslo's congregation met.

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