Signed and dated in the plate Rembrandt f. 1641.

A very good, crisp and evenly printed late 17th / early 18th century impression of Bartsch's second and final state, Usticke's second state of four, printed prior to the overall rebiting of the plate and the appearance of the diagonal scratch to the right of the head of the standing man, still showing subtle sulphur tinting in the sky.

Trimmed down to just outside the platemark at the top, small uneven margins on the sides and lower edge, otherwise in excellent condition. Collections in which impressions of this etching of this etching can be found: Rijksprentenkabinet, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Staatlichen Museen, Berlin-Dahlem; Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Teylers Stichting, Haarlem; Ermitage Museum, Leningrad; The British Museum, London; Biblioth¸que Nationale, Paris; Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna. The apostle Philip was ordered by an angel to go on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Walking along, he saw the chariot of a powerful Ethiopian official. The man was returning to his land, and sat in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah. Ordered by the Spirit of God to join the Ethiopian, Philip got the chance to expound scripture to him, and to convey the message of Christ. When they passed a body of water, the chamberlain asked Philip to baptize him (Act 8:26-39).

Bartsch 98 ii/ii; Hind 182; Biorklund-Barnard 41-E; Usticke 98 ii/iv

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