17th C Dutch Old Master Ink & Wash Painting Biblical Figures Rembrandt Pupil1650's

Figure being Comforted (Job?)
circle of Willem Drost (Dutch 1633-1659) *See notes below
ink and wash drawing on paper (Arms of Amsterdam watermarked)
Dutch School, mid 17th century
image: 14.3cm x 12.9cm

provenance: E. Calando collection, Paris; private collection, Paris
The Calando Collection stamp is in the corner of the drawing which adds excellent provenance. The Calando Collection formed a significant collection of Old Master drawings in Paris during the second half of the 19th century, up until the early 20th century. It is believed the collection held around 250 early Dutch, French and Italian Old Master works from some of the most respected artists.
condition: the work is in very good and presentable condition.

Willem Drost (1633–1659) was a Dutch painter from the Golden Age of Dutch painting. He was born in Amsterdam and trained with Rembrandt van Rijn. His works primarily encompassed historical and mythological subjects, portraits, and genre scenes.

Drost's artistic career was relatively short, as he died at a young age of around 26. However, during his brief time as a painter, he managed to produce some notable works that showcased his skills in handling light and shadow, as well as his ability to capture emotions and details.

Some of his well-known paintings include "Self-Portrait with a Collar and a Hat," "The Marriage of Tobias and Sarah," and "Portrait of a Young Man." His style was influenced by Rembrandt, with a focus on chiaroscuro (the interplay of light and shadow) and emotional depth.

Despite his short career, Drost's work has left an impact on art history, and he is appreciated for his contributions to the Dutch Baroque art movement.

The "Arms of Amsterdam" watermark refers to a specific type of watermark that was commonly found on paper used by artists during the Dutch Golden Age, which spanned roughly the 17th century. This watermark often appeared on paper that was used for drawings, prints, and other artistic works created in the city of Amsterdam.

The watermark typically depicted the coat of arms of the city of Amsterdam. The coat of arms features a shield with three vertical crosses, which are also known as St. Andrew's crosses. Above the shield, there is a crown with a few additional elements that represent the city's historical and symbolic significance.

Watermarks were created by placing a design onto the mold used in papermaking. This design would then be pressed into the paper pulp during the papermaking process, leaving a faint but recognizable image in the finished paper. Watermarks were used to identify the papermaker, the paper's origin, and sometimes to indicate the quality or type of paper.

Watermarks like the "Arms of Amsterdam" are not only significant for their historical and artistic value but also for helping art historians and researchers determine the authenticity, dating, and origin of artworks from that era. These watermarks can provide valuable insights into the materials used by artists and the context of their works.

The drawing has been authenticated as being Dutch and from the mid 17th century. The work has been examined, via photographs, by the eminent Rembrandt scholar, Mr. Peter Schatborn (Peter Schatborn is emeritus head of the Rijksprentenkabinet at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. He has also served as guest scholar at the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, and has curated exhibitions at the Fondation Custodia, Collection Frits Lugt, Paris and The Frick Collection, New York), who has confirmed, in his opinion that the work is not by Rembrandt.

The work is typical of the style and subject of Rembrandt's pupil, Willem Drost (1633-1659) and may certainly be catalogued as 'circle of Willem Drost'.

As for the subject matter, the most likely is Job being comforted, but we feel certainly Biblical.

Condition report:

Good