Christ and the Samaritan Woman
Artist
Rembrandt van Rijn
(Dutch, 1606–1669)
Date1658
Mediumetching and drypoint on cream laid paper, trimmed along border except at top rounded arch
Dimensions12.5 x 15.7 cm (sheet)
ClassificationsPrints
Markingscollector's stamp in blue ink, l.r.: owl (Lugt 2813)
Credit LineCharlotte W. Buffington Fund
Object number1994.248
Label TextRemarkably, the seventy-eight known etching plates by Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1609-1669) remained together for nearly three hundred years until the set was sold-off at auction in 1993. Previous stewards of Rembrandt’s plates were known to make posthumous editions of his prints for public sale.
Because it is a relatively soft metal, copper is a popular printing matrix for etchers and engravers. However, the pliability of copper also causes it to eventually flatten after too many runs through a printing press. It is likely Worcester’s impression of Christ and the Samaritan Woman (1658) was printed sometime during the mid-life of the plate based on details that no longer exist on the copper today.
A notable difference between the Museum’s impression and the plate is apparent on Christ’s robe. In the print, Rembrandt’s date and signature are still present—though they are showing signs of diminishing. However, on the copper plate, the signature has vanished. Clearly, the copper plate passed through the press several more times after the Worcester Art Museum’s impression was printed. As a result, details like the signature were leveled away.ProvenanceJ.W. Nahl (L. 1954); F.F. Hanson (L. 2813); C.G. Boerner, Inc., 61 East 77th Street, New York, NY 10021On View
Not on view
