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, among others). (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), printed richly 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, finalizing the composition in the third state, as represented by the present print. – The upper edge is reinforced on the reverse, with slight associated discoloration visible on the obverse. There are some skillfully repaired paper defects along the edges and small areas of paper loss at the lower edge. A small tear is present at the left edge. Overall in good condition. Taxation: subject to differential taxation (VAT: Margin Scheme).