Rijksmuseum

De aanbidding van de herders

Date

c. 1657

Medium

Japanese paper (handmade paper)

Institution

Rijksmuseum

A copper plate becomes worn with every impression pulled from it, which affects the subsequent impressions. In this sixth state some sections are lighter, such as the shepherds’ faces. New lines can be seen behind Mary, and elsewhere, which Rembrandt incised to camouflage worn passages. The fact that he printed copies of this state on costly Japanese paper indicates that they were meant for sale.

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