Original etching with drypoint and burin printed in black ink on laid paper.
Platemark: 6 1/4 x 5 1/8 inches Sheet size: 6 7/16 x 5 1/8 inches
1648
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Signed and dated in the plate upper left Rembrandt f. 1648.
A strong, dark, 18th century impression of Bartsch's fifth and final state, Usticke's fourth state of eight, showing the skillful retouching of the plate by Charles Henri Watelet circa 1760 characterized by the fine close vertical shading covering Rembrandt's curls in the dark space between the hat brim and the edge of the right cheek, and the closing of the open space in the top of the 'e' in the signature. Bearing an unidentified collection stamp, the initials 'HR' in a circle, in black ink verso.
In excellent condition, with thread margins at the top and sides, a narrow margin below in which the reference number ('27') from the 1751-52 Gersaint catalogue on Rembrandt's etchings is penned in brown ink in an old hand. Collections in which impressions of this state of this etching can be found: Kupferstichkabinett der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin-Dahlam; Fitzwilliam Musuem, Cambridge; Teylers Stichtting, Haarlem; Ermitage Museum, Leningrad; The British Museum, London; Asmolean Museum, Cambridge; Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris; Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna. The contrived pose and glorious costume of Rembrandt's earlier self-portraits are nowhere to be found in this etching. However, it may be possible to detect traces of the cares and sorrows of Rembrandt's private life in his facial features here. At the time this etching was done, a new companion, Hendrickje Stoffels, had settled in his household after the death of Rembrandt's wife Saskia. Stiffels brought him great comfort, but Rembrandt's popularity as an artist had swindled and his debts had mounted. The flair has been shorn from his hair and mustache, his jowls are fleshy, his tunic and hat are austere, and his posture is rigid. Although Rembrandt's introspection shows continuously through his painted self-portraits until his death in 1669, this noble self-revelation is his last as an etching.
Bartsch 22 v/v; Hind 229 vv, Biorklund-Barnard 48-A, Usticke 22 iv/viii
