Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

A very fine, richly inked lifetime impression of the second state, the wrinkles on the face and hands without wear. After the addition of heavy diagonal shading beneath the chair and to the immediate left. Only one impression of the first state exists, which is preserved in Amsterdam. The present sheet was created by the artist while he was still in Leiden. In the same year, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam to join Hendrick van Uylenburgh, where he was provided with a studio as well as board and lodging. The plate was lost early on, and no later impressions are known. Trimmed at approx. 1 mm within the platemark. – Three small tears at the sheet edges have been carefully repaired; the paper is slightly rubbed in these areas. The vertical edges backed with thin Japanese tissue; the upper edge reinforced with laid paper. Otherwise in good condition. Rare!