Terms and conditions of use
The Adoration of the Shepherds: with the lamp
(c. 1654)
Medium
etching
Measurements
10.6 × 13.0 cm (plate) 10.8 × 13.2 cm (sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1933
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Catalogue/s Raisonné
Bartsch 45; Hind 273 i//ii; White & Boon 45 i/ii; NHD 279 i/iii
Edition
1st of 3 states
Inscription
printed in ink l.l.: Rembrandt f
Accession Number
55-4
Departments
International Prints / International Prints and Drawings
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of the Joe White Bequest
Watermarks
Watermark Form
Foolscap with seven-pointed collar
The Foolscap watermark is an emblem of the court jester and likely originates from Germany. An early example is found in 1340 and by the mid 16th century the mark is often accompanied by a countermark of the many different papermakers who adopted the motif throughout Germany, France and Switzerland. The collar of the Foolscap watermark is usually depicted with either a five-pointed, seven-pointed or nine-pointed collar, the five-point motif is thought to be the earlier design and the seven-point is likely a French design. The Foolscap watermark was commonly applied to sheets designed for printing and writing with standard dimensions and therefore the term 'Foolscap' is still used today to reference a standard size sheet. In England the Foolscap watermark was superseded by the figure of Britannia yet retained the same standard dimension for printing and writing papers.
Watermark and variant description
Foolscap with seven-pointed collar - variant D.a.a. Head of a jester in profile wearing a collar with seven points ending in bells, the cap with two peaks. The numeral 4 and three roundels below. Short, loose hair. Ill-defined head and neck. A small bell between the two peaks of the cap. The countermark is PEH.a.
Closely related watermark references
Churchill 354 (1660), 364 (1702, different initials);
Heawood 2002 (1674).
Completeness
complete
Chain Line Interval
25-26 mm
Laid Line Frequency
12 per cm
Placement and spacing of wires
99 x 8 [15-16|26|17] x 7
Wire Side
recto
Radiograph taken from
verso