The Presentation in the Temple in the Dark Manner

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Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
1606-1669
The Presentation in the Temple in the Dark Manner
ca. 1654
Etching and drypoint printed on Japanese paper.
Plate Mark: 207 x 162 mm
RvR 78
NHD 285
Provenance: 
Sir Edward Astley (1729-1802), Norfolk; John Heywood Hawkins (1803-1877), London and Bignor Park; Walter Francis, 5th Duke of Buccleuch (1806-1884), London and Dalkeith; George W. Vanderbilt (1862-1914); from whom purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1905.
Notes: 

Luke 2:22-40
In this superb impression on Japanese paper, surface tone and selective wiping have been used to focus attention on Simeon, who holds the infant Christ, and on the seated figure of the High Priest, while subordinating the figures of Christ's parents and all elements of the background except a mysterious glimmer of light from the curtained window. This is one of only five known impressions (the others to be found in Amsterdam, Haarlem, London and Paris) in which heavy surface tone is used to darken the scene and vary the relationship between the participants. (Boston 1969, no. 77)
More heavily inked than RvR 79.
One of two impressions in the Library (see RvR 79).

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