Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

An extremely fine, early lifetime impression with the shadows rich and black and with touches of burr on Joseph's throat, on the wife's face and beneath her belly. With narrow margins. Rembrandt’s etching presents a dramatic portrayal of the moment when Potiphar’s wife seizes the fleeing Joseph. It has been described as unparalleled in its erotic candour, depicting Joseph as he turns his gaze away from the boldly exposed lower body of his master's wife. Of the approximately 300 etchings Rembrandt produced, Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife is one of only four or five that can be considered erotic in nature. Such prints were rare during the artist’s lifetime. – On the reverse a tiny brown spot, otherwise in very good condition. Very rare in this early state!