Jacob Adriaensz. Backer (Harlingen 1608-1651 Amsterdam)

Brink notes that this is a preparatory study for Backer's Family portrait with Christ and the Children, datable to circa 1634 (van den Brink, op. cit., p. 40, fig. 19). The free and spontaneous style of draughtsmanship supports this date: it can also be seen in drawings by Backer's master, Rembrandt, from the early 1630s.

Fig. 1. Jacob Adriaensz. Backer, Family portrait with Christ and the Children, Private collection.