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Portrait of a seated older man with a white beard, holding loosely a happy boy who’s leaning into his lap.

The man (Abraham) sits on pillows on the left while the boy (Isaac) is standing but leaning into Abraham’s lap while facing outward, smiling and laughing. Abraham’s left arm holds the boy’s chin. Both are wearing layers of robs, Abraham also a cap that shadows his brow, with a tranquil face. The light enters from the upper right, illuminating the faces. Both people look out to the right, beyond the viewer. The background consists of light etch marks and floral material against the far left.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
G3224
People
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Dutch (Leiden 1606 - 1669 Amsterdam)
Title
Abraham Caressing Isaac
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Jacob Caressing Benjamin
Classification
Prints
Work Type
print
Date
c. 1637
Places
Creation Place: Europe, Netherlands
Culture
Dutch
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/279615

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Etching on white antique laid paper
Technique
Etching
Dimensions
sheet: 11.4 × 8.9 cm (4 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: in plate, l.l.: Rembrandt. f.
  • collector's mark: verso, purple stamp with graphite number within: [Gray Collection accession stamp (Lugt 4836)] 3224
  • inscription: verso, various graphite inscriptions: B. 33 / 44 [?] / [an extensive erased inscription]

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Francis Calley Gray, bequest to nephew, 1856.
William Gray, gift to Harvard University, 1857.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

State
i/iv (posthumous impression?)
Edition
18th c.?
Standard Reference Number
New Hollstein 165, Bartsch 33, Hind 148, Rovinski 33

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of William Gray from the collection of Francis Calley Gray
Object Number
G3224
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