Terms and conditions of use
The three trees
1643
Medium
etching, drypoint and engraving
Measurements
21.3 × 28.0 cm (plate) 21.6 × 28.4 cm (sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1891
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Catalogue/s Raisonné
Bartsch 212; Hind 205; White & Boon 212; NHD 214
Edition
only state
Inscription
printed in ink (in image) l.l.: Rembrandt f 1643.
Accession Number
p.185.7-1
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 five-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 In England the Foolscap watermark was superseded by the figure of Britannia yet retained the same standard dimension for printing and writing papers.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 five-pointed collar - variant A.a.a. Head of a jester in profile wearing a collar with five points and a cap with two peaks. The numeral 4 with three roundels below. No bell on the central point of the collar. The peaks of the cap not vertical, no brim. Long hair in a braid, indistinct facial features, no neck.
Closely related watermark references
Churchill 341 (1644, from manuscript); 355 (1656, from manuscript).
Completeness
complete
Chain Line Interval
24-26 mm
Laid Line Frequency
10 per cm
Placement and spacing of wires
89 x 15 [11|24|10] x ?
Wire Side
verso
Radiograph taken from
verso