Live Auction 7747Old Master, Modern & Contemporary Prints
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669)
Lot 19

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669)

The Star of the Kings: A Night Piece (B., Holl. 113; H. 254)

Closed17 September 2009

Price Realised

GBP 5,000

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Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669)
The Star of the Kings: A Night Piece (B., Holl. 113; H. 254)
etching with touches of drypoint, circa 1651, watermark Foolscap with Seven-pointed Collar (similar to Hinterding K-a-d), a good impression, with touches of burr to the star, with margins, some creasing at the upper right, part of a pencil inscription in the lower margin, taped at the upper corners verso, framed
P. 93 x 142 mm., S. 101 x 150 mm.

Specialist note

This atmospheric etching portrays the procession associated with the celebration of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, a holiday particularly observed in Holland and inspired by the journey of the Magi following the star. A freely drawn sketch in pen and ink in the Rijksmuseum shows more clearly a group of children following a star lantern attached to the end of a pole.