Old Woman Reading
Old Woman Reading

Currently not on view

Old Woman Reading,

1631

Jan van Vliet, born 1610, Delft, The Netherlands; active Leiden, The Netherlands and Antwerp, Belgium; died The Netherlands
after Rembrandt van Rijn, 1606–1669; born Leiden, Netherlands; died Amsterdam, Netherlands
x1958-2
Probably made in the same year as Rembrandt’s painting Old Woman Reading (1631, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam), this reproductive print by Van Vliet provides evidence of a careful marketing strategy on the part of the young Rembrandt—here designated as “inventor” in the inscription. Already by 1631, the year Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam from his home in Leiden, his portraits and history paintings were much in demand among Dutch art collectors, and he was eager to disseminate images of his work via the print medium.

Information

Title
Old Woman Reading
Dates

1631

Maker
Jan van Vliet
after Rembrandt van Rijn
Medium

Etching

Dimensions

plate: 27.5 x 22.4 cm. (10 13/16 x 8 13/16 in.)
sheet: 28.2 x 22.9 cm. (11 1/8 x 9 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of John P. Poe, Class of 1922, in memory of Albert M. Friend Jr., Class of 1915

Object Number
x1958-2
Place Made

Europe, Netherlands

Inscription

Inscribed in plate, upper right corner: R.H. van Rijn inventor, / J.G. van Vliet fecit.

Marks/Labels/Seals

Watermark in area of book

Reference Numbers
Bartsch 91.18; Dutuit 18; Hollstein 18
Culture
European
Type
prints, etchings
Materials
printing ink
Techniques
etching (printing process)
Subject
women, elderly, figures (representations), reading, books

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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