Portrait of a couple seated at a table, heads turned slightly to look at the viewer, placid faces.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

The man (Rembrandt) is seated on the right, larger and more pronounced in the frame, than his wife (Saskia) who sits across the shallow table on left in three-quarter view, etched with delicate lines. Rembrandt’s arms rest on a sketchbook, a drawing implement in his left hand. He wears a tilted cap, the brim shadows his eyes, nose, and half his face. He has a mustache and wears a white collared shirt over loose jacket. Saskia is in full light, wearing a dress up to her neck. There’s no background, only suggestion of a table and chair where Saskia sits.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
G3221
People
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam)
Title
Self-Portrait with Saskia
Other Titles
Former Title: Rembrandt and His Wife
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
1636
Places
Creation Place: Europe, Netherlands
Culture
Dutch
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/278957

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Etching on white antique laid paper
Technique
Etching
Dimensions
plate: 10.6 x 9.4 cm (4 3/16 x 3 11/16 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: in plate, u.l.: Rembrandt. f./ 1636
  • collector's mark: verso, black stamp: E.F. [within an oval border; unidentified (Lugt 846)]
  • collector's mark: verso, black stamp: Dr. / WA [liinked] / Pr. [within a circular border; Wilhelm August Ackermann (Lugt 791)]
  • inscription: verso, red chalk: 236
  • inscription: verso, various graphite inscriptions: No 19 . B. & Cl [?] / Belle epreuve / Bartsch / [illeg.] Rem / son [illeg.] / CNo 19.
  • inscription: verso, graphite: E.H.G. [Edward Hale Greenleaf; late 19th-c. inventory mark, with a rapid zigzag perhaps associated with his initials]
  • collector's mark: verso, purple stamp with graphite numbering within: [Gray Collection accession stamp (Lugt 4836)] 3221

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
E. F. (Lugt 846),
W. Ackermann (Lugt 791).
Francis Calley Gray, bequest to nephew, 1856.
William Gray, gift to Harvard University, 1857.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

State
ii/iv
Standard Reference Number
New Hollstein 158, Bartsch 19, Hind 144, R. 19

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of William Gray from the collection of Francis Calley Gray
Object Number
G3221
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu