Rembrandt van Rijn, Harmensz Lot n° 3540

(1606 Leiden - Amsterdam 1669). Self-portrait with beret, seen from the front. Original etching on handmade paper, 1634. 5.1 x 4.6 cm, plate size 4.9 x 4.4 cm. On three sides with fine margin around the platemark. Bartsch 2nd White/Boon 2nd New Hollstein 133rd - The sheet described by Bartsch as "Rembrandt aux trois moustaches" and by Nowell-Usticke as "extremely rare" represents the master in 1634, the year of his marriage to Saskia. The cross-hatching gives the left half of the face and the chin a strong plasticity. Although the eyes are open and directed towards the observer, they also show a great closedness. The pert beret and the curly hair falling to the sides frame the determined and at the same time vulnerable face. - Only condition. Good impression of the extremely rare sheet. On the upper margin partly trimmed to platemark, some fl., right corners with tear off (without loss of image), on the back side remains of mounting. - A rare and famous small self portrait. Original etching on laid paper. Partly trimmed at the upper edge of the plate, somewhat stained, right corners with tear (without image loss), on the back with remnants of mounting. - R