392 - Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606 Leiden - Amsterdam 1669), The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds.

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606 Leiden - Amsterdam 1669), The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds. Etching, engraving and drypoint on laid paper, watermark Foolscap with five-pointed Collar (cf. Hinterding, variant U.a.). (1634). 25.8 x 22 cm (sheet). Bartsch 44; White/Boon 44 III (of III); Hinterding/Rutgers (The New Hollstein) 125 III (of VI). A fine lifetime impression of New Hollstein's third state (of six), printing richly and with strong contrasts and delicate plate tone. With small margins around the platemark. Von Seidlitz regarded this print as the graphic masterpiece of Rembrandt's early Amsterdam period, particularly admiring its remarkably nuanced chiaroscuro. Through a tonal range encompassing innumerable gradations between the deepest blacks and the most brilliant highlights, Rembrandt achieves a dramatic interplay of light and shadow of exceptional expressive power. No preparatory drawings are known for this deliberately painterly etching. Rembrandt appears to have etched the landscape directly onto the plate, bringing the composition to completion in the third state, as represented by the present impression. – The upper edge reinforced verso, with slight associated discolouration visible recto. Some skilfully repaired paper defects along the edges and small paper losses at the lower edge. A small tear at the left edge. Overall in good condition. Taxation: differenzbesteuert (VAT: Margin Scheme).