Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

Etching and drypoint, 1658, an attractive subject of great rarity, a very good, delicate impression of the second (final) state, printing with plate tone, on laminated japan paper

With wide margins, a few minor creases in the area of the hat and the chair, two on the woman's stomach and another to the right of the left leg, other small creases in the margins, a small brown stain at centre of lower edge of image, other small stains and one fingerprint (?) in the margins, otherwise in good condition, unframed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In this intimate study of a female nude, Rembrandt's subtle interplay of light and shadow is brought to the fore. Rembrandt's interest in creating rich pictorial effects in his compositions led him to experiment with printing on various kinds of oriental papers. This included varieties of Japanese papers, which were sometimes laminated in their original fabrication. This kind of 'layered', absorbent sheet enabled the artist to produce softer and more atmospheric effects than one usually achieved on ordinary white paper.