Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606-1669

Etching with drypoint and engraving, 1651, the very rare first state (of six), a remarkably fine and clear impression, printed with delicate tone and fine horizontal wiping scratches, on fine laid paper with an RC countermark (Ash-Fletcher p.145 RC a), with small margins at right and below, with thread margins elsewhere, a narrow band of light paper discoloration along edges of sheet recto (associated with remains of previous hinges verso), some foxing, otherwise in good condition  

Ex coll. F. Koch (L. 1020), a duplicate from the Royal Print Room, Copenhagen (L. 1635)

The famous publisher of prints, Clement de Jonghe, was active in Amsterdam from circa 1640 until his death in 1679. The RC countermark belongs with the Pascal Lamb watermark, and is often found on early impressions of this work