REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN (1606-1669) AND WORKSHOP
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN (1606-1669) AND WORKSHOP

Young Man in Cap: Bust

Details
REMBRANDT HARMENSZ. VAN RIJN (1606-1669) AND WORKSHOP
Young Man in Cap: Bust
etching and engraving
1631
on laid paper, without watermark
a very fine impression of this extremely rare little print
fifth, final state
printing very darkly and strongly, with a light plate tone
with narrow to thread margins
generally in good condition
Plate 51 x 47 mm.
Sheet 52 x 48 mm.
Provenance
Presumably Six Collection (without mark, see Lugt 1539a); probably Willem Six (1662-1733), Amsterdam, nephew of Rembrandt's patron Jan Six (1618-1700); presumably sold posthumously as part of his entire print collection in one lot, in 1734.
Presumably Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780), Dordrecht and Amsterdam (according to Barnard's source catalogue; without mark and not in Lugt); acquired as part of the collection at the above sale.
With Arthur Pond (circa 1705-1758), London (without mark, see Lugt 2038); presumably acquired from the above.
John Barnard (1709-1784), London (Lugt 1420); presumably acquired from the above; his posthumous sale, Thomas Philipe, London, 16 April 1798 (and following days), 22nd day, lot 382 (£ 10; to Philipe, probably for Hibbert).
George Hibbert (1757-1837), London (Lugt 2849, recto); his sale, Thomas Philipe, London, 17 April 1809 (and following days), 15th day, lot 270 ('One - bust in a cap - very fine and EXTREMELY RARE') (£ 1.3; to Jerningham).
Probably Edward Jerningham ((1737-1812), Costessey Park, Norwich and London (without mark and not in Lugt).
With David Tunick Inc., New York & Robert M. Light, Santa Barbara, California (with their code DT-RML - 24M5[?] in pencil verso.
Sam Josefowitz (Lugt 6094); acquired from the above in 1972; then by descent to the present owners.
Literature
Bartsch, Hollstein 322; Hind 65 (not by Rembrandt); New Hollstein 104w (this impression cited)
Stogdon p. 341

Brought to you by

Tim Schmelcher
Tim Schmelcher International Specialist

Lot Essay

This small and charming little portrait is generally considered to be by Rembrandt, with additional work by a member of his workshop, probably Jan van Vliet. A collaboration of this kind would certainly explain the use of etching in combination with burin and the very solid lines, which are uncharacteristic of Rembrandt's method and style. The young sitter, depicted in profile to the right, wears a coat with fur collar, his neck-long, curly hair protrudes from under his high, soft cap and frames his face, marked by a gentle and somewhat melancholic gaze. Almost nothing has been written about this print, and its rarity may have contributed to the shortage of literature. The small plate has been reworked in five states, of which only a total of nine impressions are recorded, including the present example which, to our knowledge is the first one to be offered at auction in over thirty years. The provenance is remarkable and can with a reasonable degree of probability be traced back all the way to Rembrandt's lifetime (see also lots 70 & 84). The mark of John Barnard, one of the most discerning and illustrious print collectors of the 18th century, is the link to an even more distant past: his prints by Rembrandt are believed to have come, through the hands of the London-based painter and art dealer Arthur Pond and the Dutch engraver Jacobus Houbraken, from the old collection of the Six Family - Jan Six was Rembrandt’s friend and patron, and later Burgomaster of Amsterdam.

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