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Etching, 138 x 115 mm. Bartsch 119, Biorklund-Barnard 38-8, New Hollstein 141 I/III.
Fine impression of the 1st state (of 3), before the posthumous works on the baby’s clothes, the headgear of the musicians and the darkest shadows. Only the first state is entirely by Rembrandt.
Very fine impression printed on laid paper, with the fine close horizontal scratches at the base of the woman’s collar visible on earliest impressions of the 1st state (Nowell-Usticke).
In good condition. A very small tear on the upper edge and a tiny skinning of the paper (1mm) behind the left ankle of the man. 2 to 3 mm margins.
Rembrandt regularly etched strolling musicians playing for alms at the door of a house, a traditional subject that was also portrayed a bit later by Adriaen van Ostade. The strolling Musicians isn’t dated but its style closely resembles other prints etched by Rembrandt in 1635. A standing Hurdy-gurdy player (NH 75) dates back to c. 1631. In 1641, he etched A Hurdy-gurdy Player followed by Children at the Door of a House (NH 191) and A blind Hurdy-gurdy Player and Family receiving Alms (NH 243) in 1648.
