Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) - A Peasant Calling Out: 'tis vinnich kout' and A Peasan

Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) - A Peasant Calling Out: 'tis vinnich kout' and A Peasant Replying: 'dats niet' (A Pair)

The pendant pair of etchings on laid paper, 1634, each very good impressions
A Peasant Calling Out 'tis vinnich kout': 4 7/16 x 1 5/8 in. (11.3 x 4.1cm)
A Peasant Replying: 'dats niet': 4 9/16 x 1 11/16 in. (11.6 x 4.3cm)
[Bartsch / Hollstein / White & Boon 177 & 178; Hind 114 & 115; Biörklund 34-E, F; New Hollstein 131 & 132; Stogdon 72]
(2)

Provenance

A Peasant Calling Out 'tis vinnich kout'
Gift to the family of the present consignor from the collection of print of Dr. Samuel Booth Sturgis
The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia (L.815) and with its deaccession stamp (L. 5184)
Dr. F. Pokorny (Active Vienna, mid-19th C, Lugt 788)
Private Collection, Pennsylvania.

A Peasant Replying: 'dats niet'
Private Collection, Pennsylvania.

Lot Essay

While peasants are featured in a number Rembrandt’s etchings, the present lot are both the only known pendant prints amongst the artist’s oeuvre and the only known prints to feature etched text. Rembrandt intended these prints to be a pair, and there is a somewhat humorous ‘call’ and ‘reply’ dialogue between the two forlorn peasants, with one calling out, ‘Tis vinnich kout,’ (‘It’s bitter cold’ ), and the other replying, ‘Dats Niet’ (‘That’s nothing’). This is both a rare pair of prints, and has exceptional museum provenance.