Bidspirit auction | Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), 'The

Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), 'The goldsmith' (1655) (B/ Wh&B 123 & NHD 289 possibly I (III) - Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), 'The goldsmith' (1655) (B/ Wh&B 123 & NHD 289 possibly I (III) signed and dated ‘1655’ in the plate. Beautiful posthumous impression on good 17th century paper. There are no watermarks known in prints of this etching. With a 5 mm margin, finished with an old ink line along the outer edge of the margins. Literature: Bartsch/ White & Boon 123 & New Hollstein 289 possibly first state (of three): before the diagonal lines on the goldsmith's right shoulder and before the horizontal and diagonal lines added to the left of this area and the lines in the foot of the female sculpture. No drypoint shadow lines are visible on the low beam by the stove on the right, making this possibly a first state. However, as stated in New Hollstein, the etching plate has worn away making it difficult to distinguish between a first state and a second. The goldsmith is putting the finishing touches to a Caritas group. The image of the woman with the children refers to charity. In this small etching the subtle play of light comes into its own. Etching, 77 x 56 mm.