Live Auction 7781Old Master Prints
Christie’s roundel
Lot 37

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

David in Prayer (B., Holl. 41; H. 258)

Closed8 December 2009

Price Realised

GBP 3,250

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Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
David in Prayer (B., Holl. 41; H. 258)
etching with drypoint, 1652, without watermark, a good but possibly slightly later impression of the third, final state, with thread margins on three sides, a narrow margin below, with an old pen and ink inscription dated 1829 on the reverse, a minor thin spot on the reverse at the lower sheet edge, in very good condition
P. 142 x 93 mm., S. 147 x 94 mm.

Specialist note

Rembrandt turned to the Bible as a source of inspiration throughout his career, but particularly during the 1650s. He demonstrated a remarkable empathy for the human condition whichever scene he was illustrating. In the present etching Rembrandt uses his characteristic theatricality to portray David, identified only by the harp lying on the ground, kneeling before his bed in prayer, completely given over to God. The subject is generally taken to be David praying for the life of his mortally ill son, Samuel.