Reverent and deferential, this masterful large scale Rembrandt The Death of the Virgin, 1639 is a respectful tribute to the Virgin Mother at her moment of death. With gentle attendants at her side, and welcoming angels overhead, Rembrandt creates a sweeping sense of emotion as our eyes map the travel of the Virgin from her death bed into Heaven. The attention to detail in this masterpiece is astounding—from the intricate etching of facial expressions to the details in the large manuscript in the lower left, these intimate details provide a sense of deep connection between images in the work and us as viewers. A true work of unparalleled talent, The Death of the Virgin articulates Rembrandt’s masterful ability as both artist and narrator—culminating in a beautiful and unique interpretation of this somber and delicate moment.

Created in 1639, this etching and drypoint is is signed and dated ‘Rembrandt f. 1639’ in the plate in the lower left.  According to the New Hollstein Dutch, this work is a State IV of V, A Nowell Usticke early state IV of V, Bjorklund State III of IV, Hind State III of IV, White and Boon State III of IV; on laid paper with a Strasbourg bend E.a. watermark c. 1700.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Rembrandt The Death of the Virgin, 1639 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoice accompanying the final sale of the work):

1. Ash and Fletcher. Watermarks in Rembrandt’s Prints.  Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1998.Watermark listed and illustrated as watermark no. 35, Strasbourg Bend E.a.

2. Bartsch. The Illustrated Bartsch Vol. 50.  Edited by Stephanie S. Dickey.  New York: Abaris Books, 1981.Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 99 (another example illustrated).

3. Biörklund, George. Rembrandt’s Etchings: True and False, Stockholm: George Biörklund, 1968. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. BB 39-A.

4. Hind, Arthur. A Catalogue of Rembrandt’s Etchings. New York: Da Capo Press, 1967. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 161.

5. Hinterding, Erik and Rutgers, Jaco. The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engraving and Woodcuts, 1450-1700: Rembrandt Text II 1636-1665 nos. 156-314. Edited by Ger Luijten. Amsterdam: Sound and Vision Publishers, 2013. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 173.

6. Hinterding, Erik and Rutgers, Jaco. The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engraving and Woodcuts, 1450-1700: Rembrandt Plates III 1650-1665 nos. 247-314. Edited by Ger Luijten. Amsterdam: Sound and Vision Publishers, 2013. Illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 173.

7. Mϋnz, Ludwig. Rembrandt’s Etchings: Reproductions of the Whole Original Etched Work, Vol. 1. London: Phaidon Press, 1952.  Listed as catalogue raisonné. no. 235.

8. Mϋnz, Ludwig. Rembrandt’s Etchings: Reproductions of the Whole Original Etched Work, Vol.2. London: Phaidon Press, 1952. Listed as catalogue raisonné no.208.

9. Nowell-Eusticke, G.W. Rembrandt’s Etchings. New York: Hacker Art Books, Inc., 1988. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. B 99.

10. White, Christopher and Boon, Karel. Rembrandt’s Etchings, Vol. 1, Amsterdam: Van Gendt & Co.,1969. Listed catalogue raisonné no.  B 99.

11. White, Christopher and Boon, Karel. Rembrandt’s Etchings, Vol. 2, Amsterdam: Van Gendt & Co.,1969. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. B 99.

12. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:

Rembrandt The Death of the Virgin, 1639 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.