Rembrandt van Rijn

(Leiden 1606 – 1669 Amsterdam)

“Abraham and Isaac”, 1645 [Gen. 22: 1-8]

etching: 15,7 x 13 cm;

signed and dated (l.l.) ‘Rembrandt. | 1645’

Provenance

Collection L. Stefanelli Antiquaire, Italy;

Private collection, Switzerland;

Private collection, The Netherlands.

Literature

Bartsch 34; Seidlitz 34; Hind 214; White-Boon 34;

The New Hollstein Dutch no. 224, First state (of II)

Plate in existence in Paris – with Nowell-Usticke (1967)

Notes

Among Rembrandt's most moving prints, this etching depicts the story of Abraham, who, as a test of his faith, was ordered by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. As is typical of the artist's work of the 1640s, Rembrandt chose to illustrate the most emotionally poignant moment of the story: Isaac, unwittingly the intended sacrifice, asks his father, "Where is the lamb for the offering?" Abraham responds that God will provide one. Rembrandt arranged the composition around the pivotal gesture of the father, who points to God with his upraised finger. Like a storm cloud, lines swirl in the background behind Isaac, while the area behind his father is blank, modulated only by a thin film of ink.

Condition:

Attractive, clear and highly defined impression mainly with fine margins around the plate mark. Mounted in mat at four corners. The lower left corner with a tiny tear in the margin. Isolated areas of soiling and minimal rubbing. Overall in very nice condition.

Click photo to enlarge

Category
Rembrandt Prints

Subject Matter
genre
Subject Matter
religious