The Virgin and Child with the Cat and the Sanke

Details

Bartsch 63; White/Boon 63; Hinterding/Rutgers (The New Hollstein) 278 II (von IV).

Provenienz:
George Ambrose Cardew (1865 – 1941), London, verso mit dem Stempel (Lugt 1134).

Descrizione

A very fine impression, fine and even in all details, with delicate vertical scratches to the right of the signature and in the upper window panes. Still with plate tone and rough platemark.
The simple and charming depiction of the Holy Family is set in a 17th century Dutch interior. The domestic scene shows Mary with the child sitting by an open fire, Joseph gazing at the scene through the window behind her, while a cat plays with Mary’s skirt. The Vrigin is holding a snake with her left foot. The evil symbolised by the snake no longer has any freedom of movement. This depiction from the childhood story of Jesus was already very popular during Rembrandt’s lifetime. Trimmed to the platemark, with a fine margin at the bottom. – A tiny backed loss to the upper edge, the paper mainly slightly darkened on the verso. With two printer’s creases in the upper margin, otherwise in good condition.