Etching. 11.8x9 cm (4¾x3½"); sheet: 14.8x11.4 cm (5¾x4½"). Signed in plate. A late 18th-century restrike, likely by Claude-Henri Watelet (1718-1786), of Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn's etching, "Jacob Caressing (Isaac) Benjamin". Rembrandt produced etchings for almost his entire career, until he was forced for economic reasons to sell his press. His etchings, more so than his paintings were responsible for much of his success during his lifetime. Contemporaneously, Rembrandt made hundreds of impressions from nearly 300 plates, and about 80 plates still exist today. As a result, the plates were used to make impressions for centuries after the artist's death; what is remarkable about this particular example is that the margins are relatively complete, whereas most Rembrandt etchings are found with margins trimmed, often right up to the plate mark. Dating and authenticating plates is often a complicated process; this impression has been appraised and dated by a professional, with a copy of the appraisal summary included with the lot. While producing a body of work that continues to be treasured 400 years after his lifetime, Rembrandt experienced a great deal of loss in his personal life, losing three children in infancy and his beloved wife, Saskia, after the birth of their fourth child - the only one to survive to adulthood.
Etching. 11.8x9 cm (4¾x3½"); sheet: 14.8x11.4 cm (5¾x4½"). Signed in plate. A late 18th-century restrike, likely by Claude-Henri Watelet (1718-1786), of Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn's etching, "Jacob Caressing (Isaac) Benjamin". Rembrandt produced etchings for almost his entire career, until he was forced for economic reasons to sell his press. His etchings, more so than his paintings were responsible for much of his success during his lifetime. Contemporaneously, Rembrandt made hundreds of impressions from nearly 300 plates, and about 80 plates still exist today. As a result, the plates were used to make impressions for centuries after the artist's death; what is remarkable about this particular example is that the margins are relatively complete, whereas most Rembrandt etchings are found with margins trimmed, often right up to the plate mark. Dating and authenticating plates is often a complicated process; this impression has been appraised and dated by a professional, with a copy of the appraisal summary included with the lot. While producing a body of work that continues to be treasured 400 years after his lifetime, Rembrandt experienced a great deal of loss in his personal life, losing three children in infancy and his beloved wife, Saskia, after the birth of their fourth child - the only one to survive to adulthood.
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