Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

A fine impression of the extremely scarce 5th state, with the triptych burnished out but before the black disc is restored. With stong burr in places and wide margins, 8-12 mm around the platemark. The painting depicts the writing teacher Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol, who lived in Amsterdam from 1599 to 1667 and worked as a writing master at the French school on the Singel. He was a great master of calligraphy and travelled throughout Holland to demonstrate his art. A central concern of Rembrandt’s late work is the deepening of expressive content. His interest lies less in social representation than in capturing the inner reality of the sitter. This is particularly evident in the small Coppenol etching: the restrained composition directs the viewer’s attention entirely to the expression of the face. The focused gaze and the positioning of the head suggest a vivid yet controlled presence – a physiognomic study that prioritises psychological truth over outward representation. – Faded pen inscription in an old hand in the blanc space below: Coppenol Writing Master; verso on the lower right edge, two small, slightly thinned spots. The paper minimally time-stained, otherwise in very good condition. Very rare!