REMBRANDT Harmenszoon van Rijn
(b. 1606, Leiden, d. 1669, Amsterdam)

Seated woman holding a letter: "The great Jewish bride"

1635
Etching, drypoint and burin, fifth state of five, 219 x 168 mm
Teylers Museum, Haarlem

Catalogue number: Bartsch 340.

A number of paintings, etchings and drawings by Rembrandt contain the same basic elements: a woman being groomed and holding a letter in her hand. These women are clothed and the scenes take place indoors. They are interpreted as Judith or Esther or a Jewish bride, although no conclusive identifications have yet been found.