Rembrandt Van Rijn Studies Of The Head Of Saskia And Others 1888 Reprint Appraisal

Rembrandt van Rijn: Studies of the Head of Saskia and Others (1888 Reprint)

This item is an 1888 heliogravure or etched reprint of Rembrandt's 1636 work 'Studies of the Head of Saskia and Others'. The print features several sketch-like portraits of women, notably Rembrandt's wife Saskia van Uylenburgh, executed in a masterful cross-hatching and etched line style characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. The central figure is a frontal view of a woman with curly hair, flanked by four other character studies in various poses and headwear. The piece is printed on a textured, heavy-weight off-white or cream-colored paper that shows significant natural aging and foxing (small brown spots). The lower left section contains a facsimile of Rembrandt's signature and the date '1636'. As an 1888 production, likely by Amand-Durand who was famous for high-quality Rembrandt reproductions during this period, the lines remain crisp, capturing the original's spontaneity. The condition displays visible foxing throughout the sheet and some general darkening of the paper substrate, but the ink remains dark and well-defined. The composition highlights the intimate, observational nature of Rembrandt’s practice, focusing on light, shadow, and human expression.