430 - Jan Lievens (Leiden 1607 – Amsterdam 1674), Bust of an Oriental Man, Facing Right.

Jan Lievens (Leiden 1607 – Amsterdam 1674), Bust of an Oriental Man, Facing Right. Etching on laid paper, watermark (cf. Hinterding, variant H-b-a.). (c. 1631). 14.2 x 12.9 cm (sheet). Bartsch 20; Hollstein 39 III (of IV); Dutuit 20 II (of II); Rovinski (Elèves de Rembrandt) 20 III (of IV). A very good impression of this extremely rare etching, New Hollstein’s third and final state, bearing the address of F. van Wijngaerde in the lower right, as described for the final state, with the fur collar printed slightly dry. With a narrow margin around the platemark. This etching of an elderly man ranks among Jan Lievens’ exceptionally rare early prints from the series of Oriental Heads, executed circa 1630–32. Having trained together under Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam, Lievens and Rembrandt shared a studio in their native Leiden during the formative years of their careers. At this early stage, their artistic styles were so closely aligned that, in some works, it is difficult to distinguish one artist’s hand from the other’s. A favorite subject of both artists was the Orientalized character study, in which studio props such as turbans, exotic garments, and jewelry were used to give the sitter an Eastern appearance. In 1635, Rembrandt copied the present composition, along with two other prints from Lievens’ series of Oriental Heads (New Hollstein 149–151). On his print of this subject, Rembrandt added the inscription “Rembrandt geretuckert” (“retouched” or “improved” by Rembrandt); see Hinterding, The New Hollstein, p. 240. – The sheet has a few small brown spots. Remargined along the upper edge. The reverse shows slight surface soiling and a smoothed central vertical crease. A small area of green discoloration at the lower right edge; otherwise in good condition. Taxation: subject to differential taxation (VAT: Margin Scheme).