The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds
- Date
- 1634
- Material
- Etching, engraving, and drypoint
- made in
- Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe
- Classification
- Prints
- Collection
- Prints, Drawings, and Photographs
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- image: 10 3/16 x 8 9/16 in. (25.9 x 21.7 cm)
plate: 10 3/16 x 8 9/16 in. (25.9 x 21.8 cm)
sheet (irregular): 11 5/8 x 9 13/16 in. (29.5 x 24.9 cm)
framed: 20 3/8 x 15 3/8 in. (51.8 x 39.1 cm) - Credit Line
- Gift of J. Lionberger Davis
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 79:1951
NOTES
Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn emphasizes the terror of the shepherds in this print of the angel announcing Christ's birth. As a brightly-lit angel appears in the night sky, the shepherds and their sheep scatter in fear; one shepherd has fallen to his knees, his hands raised against the sudden vision. According to the Gospel of Luke, the shepherds "were terrified. But the angel said to them 'Do not be afraid'" (Luke 2:9-10). Rembrandt envisioned this print as light areas on dark ground and focused on the blinding light shooting through the darkness.
Provenance
by 1799
Thomas Sandby (1721-1798), London and Windsor, England [1]
by 1846 - 1924
Edward John Rudge (1763-1846), Worcestershire, England; his family, by inheritance [2]
1924/12/16-17 - 1928
Bernard Houthakker (1884-1963), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, purchased at the sale of the Edward John Rudge collection, Christie's, London, December 16-17, 1924, lot no. 64 [3]
1928 - 1951
J. Lionberger Davis (1878-1973), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Bernard Houthakker
1951 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, gift of J. Lionberger Davis [4]
Notes:
This provenance is primarily based on a document dated October 26, 1950 that accompanied the loan of many of J. Lionberger Davis's prints to the Museum. These prints were susequently acquired [SLAM document files]. Supporting documents are noted below.
[1] Sandby was an architect and draughtsman, brother of the artist Paul Sandby. His initials [Lugt 2457] and shelf mark appear on the verso of the print.
[2] Rudge's inscription appears on the verso. Rudge stipulated in his will that his print collection should be left undisturbed until the third generation of his descendents. ("A Collection of Etchings by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn formed by Joseph R. Ritman" Artemis, 1995). See the auction catalogue "Catalogue of the Important Collection of Etchings by Old Masters, the Property of John Edward Rudge, Esq.", Christie's London, December 16-17, 1924, lot no. 64.
[3] Bernard Houthakker was a Dutch dealer in prints, drawings and books [Lugt 1272]. His collector's stamp does not appear on this print, but an annotation in the catalogue of the Rudge sale [see note [2]] names "Houthakker" as the buyer. [Richardson Memorial Library, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, March 8, 1951.
Thomas Sandby (1721-1798), London and Windsor, England [1]
by 1846 - 1924
Edward John Rudge (1763-1846), Worcestershire, England; his family, by inheritance [2]
1924/12/16-17 - 1928
Bernard Houthakker (1884-1963), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, purchased at the sale of the Edward John Rudge collection, Christie's, London, December 16-17, 1924, lot no. 64 [3]
1928 - 1951
J. Lionberger Davis (1878-1973), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Bernard Houthakker
1951 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, gift of J. Lionberger Davis [4]
Notes:
This provenance is primarily based on a document dated October 26, 1950 that accompanied the loan of many of J. Lionberger Davis's prints to the Museum. These prints were susequently acquired [SLAM document files]. Supporting documents are noted below.
[1] Sandby was an architect and draughtsman, brother of the artist Paul Sandby. His initials [Lugt 2457] and shelf mark appear on the verso of the print.
[2] Rudge's inscription appears on the verso. Rudge stipulated in his will that his print collection should be left undisturbed until the third generation of his descendents. ("A Collection of Etchings by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn formed by Joseph R. Ritman" Artemis, 1995). See the auction catalogue "Catalogue of the Important Collection of Etchings by Old Masters, the Property of John Edward Rudge, Esq.", Christie's London, December 16-17, 1924, lot no. 64.
[3] Bernard Houthakker was a Dutch dealer in prints, drawings and books [Lugt 1272]. His collector's stamp does not appear on this print, but an annotation in the catalogue of the Rudge sale [see note [2]] names "Houthakker" as the buyer. [Richardson Memorial Library, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[4] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, March 8, 1951.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.