Christ Presented to the People: Oblong Plate

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Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
1606-1669
Christ Presented to the People: Oblong Plate
1655.
Drypoint on paper.
358 x 455 mm
RvR 119
NHD 290, VIII
Provenance: 
John Heywood Hawkins (1803-1877), London and Bignor Park; Walter Francis, 5th Duke of Buccleuch (1806-1884), London and Dalkeith; George W. Vanderbilt (1862-1902); from whom purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1905.
Bibliography: 
Stampfle, Felice et al. Rembrandt, experimental etcher. Boston : Museum of Fine Arts, 1969, p. 102, no. 68.
Inscription: 

Signed and dated, "Rembrandt f 1655" on the architrave above the doorway to the right of the podium (in state VII).
Watermark: Fleur-de-lis in shield, surmounted by crown, over "4" and letters "WR", (Strasbourg lily).
Watermark: Countermark: "IHS" and cross exteding from crossbar of H" (Heawood 1780).

Notes: 

Matthew 27:21-23 and Mark 15:1-15.
Margins 9.5-12 mm
The Neptune-like figure [added] in the foreground [in the previous state] is half-obscured by horizontal shading. (Boston 1969, p. 102)
The roughening of the surface of the plate which occurred when the crowd was erased [in the sixth state] is used to characterize the wall surface. Two dark archways, possibly entrances to cells or dungeons, penetrate this wall. The dimly seen, enigmatic bearded figure adds a sense of disquiet. Set off by deeper shadow and further modeled, the figure of Christ is more readily isolated from the surrounding group. (Boston 1969, no. 68 [modified])

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