Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

Beggar Man and Woman behind a Bank

Details
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
Beggar Man and Woman behind a Bank
etching, engraving and drypoint, circa 1630, on laid paper, without watermark, a very fine, richly tonal impression of New Hollstein's second state (of nine), printing with inky plate edges, with narrow margins, a short repaired tear at upper left, otherwise in good condition
Plate 112 x 81 mm., Sheet 115 x 83 mm.
Provenance
The Carlyon Family, Tregrehan House, Cornwall.
With Colnaghi, London (their stock number R. 587 in pencil verso); bought from the above in 1958.
Acquired from the above, 10 June 1960 (£50).
Literature
Bartsch, Hollstein 165; Hind 13; New Hollstein 51 (II/9).

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Maya Jelbart
Maya Jelbart

Lot Essay

Emerging from behind an overgrown bank, this elderly beggar couple seem to be deep in a slightly cranky conversation. The man appears to be talking loudly, with his mouth wide open, perhaps because they are both hard of hearing. Although integrated well into the composition, the little bluff at left may be covering up another earlier image, which Rembrandt had begun to etch onto the plate. New Hollstein records nine lifetime states of this print. It is therefore surprising how rarely it comes to the market, in particular in very fine, early impressions such as the present sheet, printed with distinct, irregularly wiped tone.

The British Museum holds one impression of the first state and one of the third, as well as examples of later states. The present second state-impression is stronger, clearer and more tonal than their two early states.

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