Etching and drypoint, circa 1667. 213x172 mm; 8 1/2x6 7/8 inches. Fourth state (of 12), before the shading of the painting on the easel and before the text lower margin (though this impression is trimmed on the lower margin just outside the border line, there is no idication of any of the tops of the tallest letters in the inscription as there would be in the fifth state onward). Ex-collection Otto Schäfer, ink stamp verso (not in Lugt); and S. William Pelletier (Lugt 4193, verso). With thread margins three sides, trimmed inside the plate mark on the blank lower margin. A brilliant, early and richly-inked impression with all the details distinct and no sign of wear, consistent with the earliest impressions of this subject.
According to Godefroy, very rare (RR) in this state. We have found only one other impression in this state at auction in the past 30 years. Bartsch 32; Godefroy 32.
