Terms and conditions of use
The first oriental head
1635
Medium
etching and drypoint
Measurements
15.1 × 12.6 cm (plate) 15.2 × 12.7 cm (sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1958
Gallery location
Not on display
Artwork Details
Catalogue/s Raisonné
Bartsch 286; Hind 131 ii/ii; White & Boon 286 ii/iii; NHD 149 ii/v
Edition
2nd of 5 states
Inscription
printed in ink u.c.: Rembrandt. geretuc / 1635
Accession Number
3820-4
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 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 In England the Foolscap watermark was superseded by the figure of Britannia yet retained the same standard dimension for printing and writing papers.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 C.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
Heawood 1967 (1666, from a drawing)
Completeness
partial
Chain Line Interval
23-25 mm
Laid Line Frequency
12 per cm
Placement and spacing of wires
? x ? [?|24|?] x ?
Wire Side
recto
Radiograph taken from
verso