Original etching printed in black ink on laid paper.
Size: 3 9/16 x 3 1/4 inches
1641
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Signed and dated in the plate left center Rembrandt f. 1641.
A strong, clear and sharp 17h century/lifetime impression Bartsch's first state of two; Biorklund-Barnard's first state of three, Usticke's first state of four, printed prior to the white area along the top margin being filled in with shading and the strengthening of the shadow behind the sitter's head.
In excellent condition, trimmed down to or just outside the platemark all around. Provenance: C.G Boerner, Dusseldorf; ex-collection Charles C. Cunningham, Jr., bearing his collection stamp [not in Lugt] violet in verso. Collections in which impressions of this state of this etching can be found: Rijkspretenkabinet, Rijksmuesum, Amsterdam; Kepferstichkabinett der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin-Dahlem; Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Stadelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt-on-Main; Teylers Stichting, Haarlem; Ermitage Museum, Leningrad; The British Museum, London; Duthuit Collection, Petit Palais, Paris; Collection Edmond de Rothschild, Musee du Louvre, Paris; Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna. This shifty-eyed poker face was probably a student of Rembrandt's. The artist represented him the same year, 1641, in more dignified occupation and attire as 'Man at a desk Wearing Cross and Chain' (Bartsch 261). Rembrandt was apparently dissatisfied with the pictorial relationship between the card player and the wall behind him, and he returned to the copper plate to darken the shadow with vigorous cross-hatching, thereby creating the second state.
Bartsch 136 i/ii; Hind 190; Biorklund-Barnard 41-M; Usticke 136 i/iv
