Rembrandt van Rijn
1606-1669 | Dutch

The Virgin and Child with the Cat and the Snake

Etching laid on paper
New Hollstein's first state of IV
Signed and dated "Rembrandt. f. 1654" (upper left)
With watermark of Foolscap with seven-pointed collar

Among the very best of the Old Masters stands the revered Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn, arguably the greatest etcher in the history of art. Certainly the most important Dutch etcher of all time, his oeuvre boasts close to 300 authenticated prints, and his innovative techniques in the medium are without precedent. This incredible etching, The Virgin and Child with the Cat and the Snake, displays the artistry and detail for which Rembrandt's prints are renowned.

In this work, Rembrandt depicts one of the few events from Christ's childhood recorded in the Bible. Bursting with maternal affection, the Virgin holds her newborn child in a simple and humble interior. As Joseph gazes through the window, a snake appears from beneath Mary's skirt, referencing the tale of Adam and Eve and the emergence of sin. The cat to the left of the figures plays with the hem of her skirt. At once quiet, intimate and transcendent, Rembrandt's mastery of light and rendering human emotion builds a powerful mood.

While also celebrated today for his paintings, Rembrandt was renowned throughout his lifetime as a master printmaker. Emerging in the region in the early 16th century, printmaking experienced increased popularity during Rembrandt's lifetime, when an affluent new merchant class with money to spare for artworks flourished. Among the many printmakers of the era, Rembrandt stood out as he exploited the medium to its fullest. He often utilized techniques from his paintings, such as chiaroscuro, and successfully translated it to copper plate. His fluid lines, delicate cross-hatching and subtle tonalities allowed Rembrandt to achieve the sense of atmosphere that set apart his works.

Versions of this etching reside in numerous prestigious museums, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the de Young Fine Art Museum of San Francisco and the Art Institute of Chicago. Rembrandt's original plate for this piece can be found at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Printed circa 1654