269 - Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606, Leiden – Amsterdam, 1669), The Artist Drawing from the Model (“Het Beeldt van Pigmalion”).

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606, Leiden – Amsterdam, 1669), The Artist Drawing from the Model (“Het Beeldt van Pigmalion”). Etching and drypoint on laid paper, Strasbourg Lily watermark with the initials PR (Hinterding, variant E'.a.b.). (c. 1639). 23.4 x 18.5 cm (sheet). Bartsch 192; White/Boon 192 II (of II); Hinterding/Rutgers (The New Hollstein) 176 III (of VI). A very fine impression of New Hollstein’s second state (of four), featuring rich drypoint burr and delicate vertical wiping scratches, as well as subtle variations in tone in the dark areas above. In this intriguing unfinished print, an artist is shown seated in his studio, drawing from a nude model standing on a pedestal. The dark, densely hatched background contrasts strikingly with the lightly sketched and incomplete foreground. These freely drawn outlines suggest that Rembrandt worked directly on the plate without a transferred preparatory drawing—an impression reinforced by the model’s feet, sketched in two different positions, and the pentimenti visible in the artist’s face. Trimmed to the platemark at the top and right edges; otherwise with thread margins. – The upper-left and lower-right corners have been skillfully repaired, with minor retouching. On the reverse, the paper is thinned in the lower-left corner. A closed tear in the lower margin, two additional closed tears along the left edge, and several skillfully repaired paper flaws along the right edge. Otherwise in good condition. Taxation: subject to regular taxation (VAT: Regular Taxation).