Manner of Rembrandt van Rijn - A Young Woman Sleeping, Pen and Brush in Bistre (Ink Wash Drawing)

Name: Manner of Rembrandt van Rijn - A Young Woman Sleeping, Pen and Brush in Bistre (Ink Wash Drawing)
Brand: adeboer
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Black and white ink wash drawing of a woman sleeping in the style of Rembrandt, in a gold frame with a marbled mat. - view 1

1/3

Estimated value

$50 - $250

Rarity

Ordinary(3/10)

MANNER OF REMBRANDT VAN RIJN - A YOUNG WOMAN SLEEPING, PEN AND BRUSH IN BISTRE (INK WASH DRAWING): IDENTIFICATION

This monochromatic work on paper is a stylistic emulation of the famous 1654 drawing 'A Young Woman Sleeping' (Hendrickje Stoffels) housed in the British Museum. The composition features a woman leaning forward on her arms in a resting pose. Executed with a broad quill or reed pen and heavy ink wash, the piece attempts to replicate the master's signature economy of line and dramatic tonal contrast. The support appears to be a heavy, slightly textured paper, possibly of 19th or early 20th-century manufacture, presented in a decorative frame with a marbled paper inlay mat, common in mid-20th-century framing practices.

Compare with other paintings in the archive: Surrealist Painting by William Vandenjoc, Abstract Expressionist Landscape Painting, Winterzon by Ansje Siel (2023).

PERIOD & ATTRIBUTION

The original drawing by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated circa 1654, represents the height of his mature period where he moved away from detailed cross-hatching toward bold, gestural ink washes. Because of the high status of this specific work in art history, it has been a standard subject for student copies and professional reproductions for over two centuries. The framing and matting style, specifically the narrow marbled paper border within the mat, suggests this particular object was prepared for display between 1940 and 1970, a period when Rembrandt's drawings were heavily popularized through high-quality facsimile prints and study copies.

COLLECTOR NOTES

The original 1654 drawing was likely a study of Hendrickje Stoffels, Rembrandt's longtime companion and model after the death of his wife Saskia.

SCARCITY

Ordinary40-55%

CommonLegendary

Standard antiques commonly found at estate sales and flea markets. Plentiful supply meets modest demand.

Rarity 3/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 49 paintings items at rarity 3 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

Moderate production runs
Common at estate sales
Entry-level collectibles

Confidence Factors

Object is a direct copy of a world-famous masterpiece in the British Museum collection (Inventory 1895,0915.1279)
Ink handling lacks the characteristic 'searching' line quality and precise wash control of a 17th-century original
Framing materials and matting style are definitively 20th-century

Expert review recommended. Consider consulting a specialist before making purchasing decisions.

How does authenticity detection work?

THE ART SPECIALIST'S TAKE

Museum-Trained Art Historian

Connoisseur

High confidence in the identification of the subject matter and the assessment that this is a later study or reproduction, given the original's permanent museum status.

KEY EVIDENCE

1Compositional match to 'A Young Woman Sleeping' (c. 1654) by Rembrandt.
2Broad, static ink lines suggest a hand following an existing image rather than creating from life.
3Presence of foxing indicates some age, but not the 350+ years required for a period original.
4Framing assembly—specifically the marbled matting—points to a 20th-century decorative provenance.

UNCERTAINTIES

•The artwork is a known composition of one of the world's most famous drawings; original is documented in a museum collection.
•Lack of 'crustiness' or specific tonal warmth typical of aged iron-gall or period bistre ink.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

→Remove from frame to inspect paper for watermarks or manufacturer stamps.
→Examine under 10x magnification to determine if the 'drawing' is a high-quality collotype or facsimile print.
→Check the reverse of the backing board for gallery or framer labels.

CONDITION & GRADE

Good

Grading breakdown

Visible foxing across the upper right and lower edges of the paper substrate; frame is intact but exhibits standard age-related patina; matting shows no significant acid burning.

Condition

The paper displays visible foxing and atmospheric spotting consistent with oxidative aging. There is a slight waviness to the sheet suggesting it is not fully laid down. The frame shows minor edge wear and loss of gilding on the miters.