REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN (1606-1669)

Abraham Francen, Apothecary

Details

REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN (1606-1669)
Abraham Francen, Apothecary
etching, engraving and drypoint
circa 1657
on laid paper, watermark fragment Strasbourg Lily with 4WR and Initials AI or AJ (Hinterding B.b.b.)
a very good, dark impression of the tenth state (of twelve)
printing richly and warmly, with good clarity and contrasts
with touches of burr on the sitter's right hand and elsewhere
trimmed inside the platemark or to the subject in places
generally in very good condition
Sheet 157 x 207 mm.

Provenance

Joseph von Camesina (1765-1827), Vienna (without mark, see Lugt 429) (according to Elischer's catalogue); presumably his sale, 24 April 1832, lot 524 ('Quatrième épreuve') (Fl. 2.4; to Bern?).
Wilhelm Koller (d. 1871), Vienna (Lugt 2632); his sale, Posonyi, Vienna, 5 February 1872 (and following days), lot 1342 (Fl. 39; to Artaria).
August Artaria (1807-1893), Vienna (Lugt 33); his posthumous sale, Artaria & Co., Vienna, 6-13 May 1896, lot 811 (Fl. 12; to Artaria, together with the following lot).
With Artaria & Co., Vienna.
Julius Rosenberg (1845-1900), Copenhagen (without stamp, see Lugt 1519); probably acquired from the above after the Artaria sale; his posthumous sale, C. G. Boerner, Leipzig, 1 May 1901, lot 220 ('Sehr schöner Abdruck des siebenten Zustandes mit dem Stichelglitscher auf der linken Wange, der Hut auf der Bank ist wenig sichtbar. Mit Rändchen, leicht eingetuscht. Aus Sammlung Artaria.') (Mk. 21; to Elischer).
Dr. Julius Elischer von Thurzóbánya (1846-1909), Budapest (Lugt 824); his posthumous sale, C. G. Boerner, Leipzig, 9-11 March 1911, lot 870 ('Prachtvoller Abdruck des siebenten Zustandes, mit dem Stichelglitscher auf der linken Wange. Mit Rand. Von schöner Wirkung. Aus den Sammlungen Camesina, Artaria und Rosenberg.') (Mk. 870; to Brandes).
Possibly Georg Morris Cohen Brandes (1842-1927), Copenhagen (without stamp and not in Lugt).
Collection Giesecke (?) (according to Boerner's records).
Jean Malmgren (?), Stockholm (without stamp and not in Lugt); his sale, The Malmgren Collection of Rembrandt Etchings, Christie's, London, 30 June 1976, lot 43 (£2,640; to Faustus).
With Faustus Gallery, London.
Christie's, London, 4 July 1979, lot 121.
Sam Josefowitz (Lugt 6094); acquired at the above sale (through Mulder); then by descent to the present owners.

Literature

Bartsch, Hollstein 273; Hind 291; New Hollstein 301 (this impression cited)
Stogdon 114

Brought to you by

Stefano Franceschi Specialist

sfranceschi@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3103

Lot Essay

The apothecary Abraham Francen (1612 - after 1678) was a passionate art collector and a friend of Rembrandt's, who helped the artist when he got into financial difficulties and acted as a guardian to Cornelia, the daughter of Rembrandt and Hendrickje Stoffels. In view of their close relationship it is very likely that this portrait was not an official commission but rather a gift to a friend. Francen is depicted in a dark interior, although some light is coming in through the open window, illuminating the print or drawing he is studying so intently. The artifacts that surround him - an open album on the table, a Taoist sculpture, a pot and a skull, and the triptych hanging on the rear wall - suggest that this is the apothecary's cabinet or study, filled with art and curiosities of the kind the artist also collected. Rembrandt depicts his friend in this intimate setting in a moment of quiet contemplation, using chiaroscuro to superb effect to evoke the atmosphere of a private room.

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