Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606-1669) etching and drypoint on laid paper that depicts a goldsmith at work on a "caritas" figural group which consists of a woman and two children, c. 1655. The artist gently holds the sculpture with his left hand as he works with a hammer held in his right hand. A furnace glows behind him at left. An early second state impression, before the disappearance of the vertical drypoint lines to the lower beam at upper right. Signed and dated in plate, lower left. Inscribed "B123," "391973" and "8072," and "000[?]" in pencil to verso. New Hollstein's second state of two; Usticke's second state of three. Housed in a cream window mat with brown and gold reveal. Sheet: 3 5/16 in. H x 2 1/2 in. W. Plate: 2 15/16 in. H x 2 3/16 in. W. Mat: 15 in. H x 14 1/8 in. W. Ref: Bartsch 123, Hollstein (White and Boon), 285; Hind 285; Biorklund 55-D; New Hollstein 289.

Overall very good condition, with wide margins. A very good, dark, and well-inked impression with strong contrasts and all the fine lines distinct. Sheet is mounted to backing with archival tape affixed to corners en verso. Mat with some losses to surface, especially right side.

Private Memphis collection