,contributions f ,! ,museum ( ,hi/ory & 
,te*nology3 ,pap] #fa  ,rembr&t's ,et*+ 
,te*nique3 ,an ,example  ,pet] ,morse   
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #a  ,l&scape ) a 
hay b>n & a flock ( %eep4 ,et*+ by      
,rembr&t1 %[n 9 orig9al size4    ,by    
,pet] ,morse   ,rembr&t's ,et*+         
,te*nique3 ,an ,example   ,a ,rembr&t   
pr9t 9 ! collection ( ! ,smi?sonian     
,in/itution has be5 made ! subject ( a  
/udy ( ! arti/'s et*+ te*nique4 ,! au?or
 is associate curator1 division (       
graphic arts1 9 ! ,smi?sonian           
,in/itution's ,museum ( ,hi/ory &       
,te*nology4   ,all footnotes appe> at ! 
end ( ?is pap]4   ,rembr&t's pr9t1      
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1#a
 is a s+ul>ly apt example ( ! v>iety (  
et*+ treatm5t us$ by ! arti/ 9 8 mature 
p]iod4#b ,! pr9t1 9 black ink1 #hc  #agd
 mm4 9 size 7approximately #c-a_/b  #g  
in*es71 is sign$ & dat$ #afej4c ,x %[s a
 peaceful ,dut* l&scape along !         
,ond]dijk ,road on ! s\? side ( ! ,sa9t 
,an?ony's ,dike1 only a %ort walk f     

,rembr&t's home 9 ,am/]dam4 ,! picture  
is1 z usual1 ! mirror rev]sal ( ! actual
 sc5e4#d  ,! obs]v]'s att5tion1 f 8     
rais$ position1 is fir/ drawn to ! c5t] 
( ! pr9t1 attract$ by ! bright          
highlights on ! trees & b>n1 !n is      
snapp$ abruptly to ! left side by !     
figure ( ! woman outl9$ aga9/ ! sky4 ,n[
 ! eye moves sl[ly across ! bottom1     
notic+ ! flock ( %eep & ! %eph]d1 & is  
l$ fur!r by ! s(t d>k l9e ( ! creek     
bank1 to pick up ! di/ant t[n & !n ! c[s
 on ! "r4 ,only aft] completely circl+ !
 composition does "o notice ! horse1    
roll+ 9 ! grass & joyfully kick+ its    
feet 9 ! air4  ,su* arti/ic comm& seldom
 comes spontane\sly4 ,9 ,rembr&t's case1
 x is cle>ly ! result ( c>eful          
prep>ation1 _m ye>s ( le>n+ & exp]i5ce1 
& h>d "w 9 ! creation ( ea* picture4    
,su* a process has produc$ 9 ?is        
pr9t--"o ( n9e l&scapes :i* m>k a turn+ 
po9t 9 #afej--;a "w ( /yli/ic syn!sis1  
:i* integrates ,rembr&t's previ\s k &   
leads on to 8 lat] ma/]pieces4          

,illu/ration3 ,,figure #b  ,mirror      
rev]sal ( ,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock
 ( %eep4  ,9 #afej ,rembr&t 0 evid5tly 9
 a tranquil /ate ( m9d4 ,he 0 #dd ye>s  
old4 ,"y ,h5drickje ,/(fels1 :o _h ent]$
 8 h\sehold 9 #afde z a maid1 0 well    
settl$ z h\sekeep] & mi/ress4 ,ge]tghe  
,dircx--:o _h be5 ! nurse ( ,rembr&t's  
son1 ,titus1 s9ce ! dea? ( 8 wife1      
,saskia1 9 #afdb--;_h j be5 tak5 to an  
in/itution aft] a na/y brea* ( promise  
suit4#e ,rembr&t's f9ances 7 9 good     
%ape2 8 insolv5cy 0 n to come until     
#afef1 aft] ! int]national economic     
crisis ( #afec4f ,! arti/ c]ta9ly _h !  
fulle/ confid5ce & exp]i5ce 9 8 work+   
me?ods1 hav+ already done close to #bej 
pr9ts4#g ,?is /ate ( well-be+ is        
reflect$ 9 ! fact t ( ! #bg pr9ts       
,rembr&t did 9 ! ?ree ye>s1 #afej-afeb1 
no few] ?an #ad are l&scapes ( a s]5e   
"*4#h ,?is is an unusually l>ge         
proportion ( a s+le subject & surely    
reflects ! arti/'s /ate ( m9d1 :i* help$
 him to produce ?is ma/]piece ( s]5ity1 

humor1 & te*nical virtuosity4  ,8 et*+  
te*nique c be cle>ly /udi$ 9 ?is pr9t4  
,9 summ>y1 all ! evid5ce %[s t ,rembr&t 
"h laid a f\ndation ( l9es on 8 plate ) 
a s+le et*+4 ,he !n mantl$ ! sket* ) ri*
 drypo9t l9es1 to give a s5sitive       
*i>oscuro to ! f9i%$ "w4 ,! integration 
( et*+ & drypo9t is /rik+4 ,!re are few 
areas ( ?is pr9t 7except ! sky7 t d n   
conta9 bo? k9ds ( l9e4  ,rembr&t        
evid5tly _h an excell5t idea ( 8 design 
be=e he ev] t\*$ ! ne$le to ! plate4    
,?\gh he is (t5 admir$ = 8 spontaneity1 
p>ticul>ly 9 8 l&scapes1#i ?is is a     
misconception4 ,b5es* li/s no few] ?an  
#gh l&scape draw+s by ,rembr&t 9 ! ye>s 
#afdh-afej1aj & !re 7 p]haps _m m1 n[   
lo/ or unid5tifi$4 ,= ?is et*+ alone1   
!re are at lea/ five likely prep>atory  
draw+s1 ea* giv+ c]ta9 ess5tial features
 ( ! f9al pr9t4 ,! mo/ int]e/+ is !     
,l&scape ) a ,roll+ ,horse4#aa ,"h we   
see t ! horse1 app>5tly ! happie/ (     
impulsive inspirations1 is in/ead a     
c>efully consid]$ "p ( ! f9al design1   

copi$ f ! draw+ previ\sly done on !     
spot4 ,z ! horse 9 ! draw+ is ! mirror  
image ( t 9 ! pr9t1 we c feel c]ta9 t ! 
draw+ came fir/ & n ! et*+4 ,two o!r    
draw+s#ab 7figures #d & #e7 del9eate !  
clump ( trees1 9 =m & placem5t v simil> 
to ! pr9t4 ,a f\r?#ac 7figure #f7 is a  
sket* ( a hay b>n ( ! type %[n 9 ! pr9t1
 evid5tly q common 9 ! ,dut* c\ntryside1
 & a fif?#ad 7figure #g7 =e%ad[s ! s*eme
 ( composition us$ 9 ! pr9t1 pr9cipally 
! relation%ip ( ! road & ! d>k c5tral   
mass4 ,all ^! draw+s are ! mirror       
rev]sal ( ! pr9t4  ,illu/ration3        
,,figure #c  ,l&scape ) a roll+ horse4  
,draw+ by ,rembr&t4 ,aft] ,b5es*1 vol4  
#f1 fig4 #addd4 7,smi?sonian photo      
#eicia1 ) ! p]mission ( ,phaidon ,press1
 ,ltd41 & ! ,gron+5 ,museum47           
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #d  ,a clump (   
trees4 ,draw+ by ,rembr&t4 ,aft] ,b5es*1
 vol4 #d1 fig4 #ajja4 7,smi?sonian photo
 #eicib1 ) ! p]mission ( ,phaidon       
,press1 ,ltd47  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure  
#e  ,f>m build+ among trees4 ,draw+ by  

,rembr&t4 7,photo c\rtesy ( ! ,alb]t9a  
,museum1 ,vi5na47  ,illu/ration3        
,,figure #f  ,f>m/ead ) a hay b>n4      
,draw+ by ,rembr&t4 ,aft] ,b5es*1 vol4  
#f1 fig4 #adeh4 7,smi?sonian photo      
#eicic1 ) ! p]mission ( ,phaidon ,press1
 ,ltd41 & ! ,royal ,museum ( ,f9e ,arts1
 ,cop5hag547  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #g 
,f>m build+s beside a road ) di/ant     
f>m/ead4 ,draw+ by ,rembr&t4 7,photo    
c\rtesy ( ! ,a%molean ,museum1 ,ox=d47  
,x is v mu* a mod]n ta/e to admire      
spontaneity m ?an craft4 ,we mu/ und]/& 
t ,rembr&t's "w 0 any?+ b spontane\s 9  
execution4 ,! exi/5ce ( s _m draw+s     
prior to ?is pr9t c]ta9ly sugge/s t     
,rembr&t collect$ 8 ideas f _m s\rces1  
on ! spot1 b did 8 f9i%$ "w 9 ! quiet ( 
8 /udio1 ) 8 notes ready at h&4 ,he us$ 
! sket*es z ! raw mat]ial = a "w ( art4 
,rembr&t said t ! only rule t %\ld b9d !
 arti/ is nature1#ae b he 0 c]ta9ly n   
di/ract$ by nature4 ,! individual g5ius 
"h lies 9 assembl+ _m obs]vations f     
nature into a "w :i* goes beyond nature 

& yet appe>s fre% & natural4  ,! metal  
plates he commonly us$ 7 ( ?91          
cold-hamm]$ copp]1 z %[n by extant      
examples4#af ,! hamm]+ _h ! effect (    
mak+ ! metal h>d] ?an today's roll$     
copp] %eets4 ,?is enabl$ m pr9ts to be  
tak5 f ! plate ?an is possible = a      
pres5t-day pr9tmak]4 ,today1 we t5d to  
consid] drypo9t a v fugitive m$ium1     
because ! burr p]i%es s quickly "u !    
pressure ( ! pr9t+ press4 ,rembr&t      
und\bt$ly _h few] inhibitions ab\t      
drypo9t1 = he c\ld expect 8 h>d] copp]  
to hold up long]1 p]haps = z _m z fifty 
excell5t pr9ts f ! same plate4 ,hamm]$  
copp]1 unlike ! mod]n roll$ v>iety1 is  
also completely free ( gra9 9 ! metal4  
,?is enables a drypo9t ne$le to move    
freely 9 any direction )\t enc\nt]+ !   
resi/ance ( a gra94 ,"h aga91 ,rembr&t  
_h m inc5tive to use drypo9t ?an a mod]n
 arti/4  ,rembr&t's et*+ gr\nd has be5 !
 subject ( consid]able discussion4 ,a   
book publi%$ 9 #affj1 n9e ye>s be=e !   
arti/'s dea?1 conta9s a recipe = ,!     

,gr\nd ( ,r9ebrant ( ,r9e4#ag ,?is      
gr\nd1 simil> to t describ$ by ,bosse z 
a s(t gr\nd1#ah consi/s ( two p>ts wax1 
"o "p ma/ic1 & "o "p asphaltum4 ,!re are
 c\ntless =mulae = su* gr\nds1 b        
virtually all are p]mutations ( ! same  
?ree +r$i5ts1 ) only slight diff]5ces 9 
! proportions4#ai ,! gr\nd giv5 z       
,rembr&t's is a ?or\ghly conv5tional "o4
  ,a knotty problem1 h[ev]1 is introduc$
 by ! la/ l9e ( ?is #affj description3  
444 lay y\r black gr\nd v ?91 & ! :ite  
gr\nd ^u x4 ,?is is ! only way (        
,r9ebrant4444#bj ,no elaboration is     
giv54 ,?is "o l9e pres5ts a numb] (     
problems1 n all ( :i* are soluble4 ,to  
take x at face value is to accept !     
contempor>y evid5ce t ,rembr&t n only   
us$ a :ite gr\nd b us$ x exclusively4   
,?is ass]tion _c be tak5 uncritically4  
,x w readily be se5 t a :ite gr\nd might
 be ( consid]able assi/ance to an arti/4
 ,8 ne$le p5etrates ! :ite to ! copp]1  
giv+ ! famili> effect ( a r$di% ink l9e 
on :ite pap]4 ,a normal gr\nd1 )\t      

treatm5t1 is virtually transp>5t1 mak+ !
 et*]'s l9es r difficult to see4#ba ,!  
mo/ usual proc$ure1 bo? 9 ! #ag? c5tury 
& today1 is to smoke ! gr\nd &          
incorporate ! soot ) ! gr\nd by heat+ ! 
plate slightly4 ,?is gives a black      
gr\nd1 aga9/ :i* ! l9es appe> light1 !  
negative ( ! ultimate pr9t4 ,! black    
gr\nd is favor$1 bo? out ( long-e/abli%$
 tradition & because x is v easy to     
apply4 ,fur!rmore1 arti/s today expla9 t
 !y also enjoy ! feel+ ( work+ slightly 
bl9d1 t "o ( _! greate/ rew>ds is ! s5se
 ( surprise 9 peel+ ! fir/ pro( pr9t (f 
! plate4 ,= :atev] reason1 ! black gr\nd
 has be5 pref]r$ by ! great majority (  
arti/s1 bo? pa/ & pres5t4  ,!           
description ( ,rembr&t's gr\nd 9 #affj  
takes k ( ! :ite gr\nd = grant$4 ,its   
te*nique c]ta9ly appe>s to h be5 g5]ally
 well kn[n among arti/s 9 ! middle ( !  
#ag? c5tury4 ,rub5s1 9 a lett] z e>ly z 
#afbb1 m5tions hav+ receiv$ a recipe = a
 :ite gr\nd1 al?\gh he c\ld n rememb]   
x4#bb ,! fir/ te*nical explanation ( !  

process appe>$ 9 ,bosse's pione]        
treatise 9 #afde4bc ,!re is no reason :y
 ,rembr&t %\ld n h kn[n ( ! :ite-gr\nd  
te*nique & e reason to suppose t he did4
  ,!re is "o piece ( /rong evid5ce t he 
did use a :ite gr\nd ab\t #afca4 ,"o (  
,rembr&t's draw+s exi/s :i*1 unlike mo/ 
( 8 sket*es is an exact prototype 79    
rev]se7 ( a specific et*+1 ,diana at !  
,ba?4#bd ,! back ( ?is draw+ is cov]$ ) 
black *alk1 & its l9es %[ ! ind5tation (
 trac+4 ,! only reasonable explanation (
 ?is evid5ce is t ,rembr&t plac$ 8      
prep>$ draw+ on top ( a :ite-gr\nd$     
plate & trac$ ! l9es1 deposit+ ! black  
*alk l9es on ! gr\nd1 :]e he c\ld !n    
trace !m ) 8 et*+ ne$le4 ,ano!r simil>ly
 ind5t$ draw+--= ! portrait ( ,cornelis 
,claesz ,anslo--has be5 held to %[ !    
same proc$ure z late z #afda4 ,?is      
draw+1 h[ev]1 is back$1 n ) black *alk z
 previ\sly cit$1 b ) o*] temp]a4#be     
,al?\gh surely us$ = trac+1 ?is gives   
p]haps ev5 m evid5ce ( 8 use ( a black  
gr\nd r ?an :ite1 al?\gh o*] l9es w\ld  

%[ on ei!r4 ,^! conclusions are n meant 
to imply 9 any way t ,rembr&t us$ !     
trac+ ( a draw+ = 8 ,l&scape ) a hay    
b>n4444 ,!re is e probability t he did n
 d s4 ,! implication is r t only :]e a  
trac$ draw+ ) black back+ exi/s d we h  
circum/antial evid5ce = ! use1 &        
possibly a m g5]al use1 ( :ite gr\nd4   
,)\t ! publi%$ recipe no "q w\ld be     
likely to arise t ,rembr&t us$ any?+ b !
 /&>d black gr\nd4 ,) x1 we mu/ se>* =  
corroboration4  ,?\gh ! case mu/ be left
 z n prov51 ! use ( a :ite et*+ gr\nd is
 consi/5t ) ,rembr&t's practice ( us+ ! 
simple/ effective means = a*iev+ 8      
arti/ic aims4 ,! di/9ctive quality ( !  
pr9t "u consid]ation "h is ! arti/'s    
rem>kable placem5t & articulation (     
areas ( black aga9/ ! :ite pap]4        
,rembr&t may h f\nd x f> easi] to       
visualize ?is ultimate effect by us+ a  
:ite backgr\nd = d>k l9es on 8 plate1 r 
?an ! negative4  ,rembr&t almo/ c]ta9ly 
made all ! et*$ l9es 9 ?is pr9t 9 a s+le
 op]ation4 ,! l9es 7 put on ! plate be=e

 x w5t into ! acid4 ,! plate 0 !n et*$  
by ! acid 9 a s+le bit+1 )\t /opp+-out4 
,! evid5ce = ^! ass]tions comes f ! pr9t
 itself1 z we h no direct te/imony 9 !  
matt]4  ,9 ! fir/ place1 ! et*$ l9es mu/
 be di/+ui%$ f ! drypo9t l9es appli$ at 
a lat] /age4 ,! diff]5ces betwe5 ! types
 ( l9e are m easily se5 ?an describ$4 ,!
 et*$ l9e is cle> & /rong1 f ! clean    
bit+ ( ! acid4 ,x is fre] & m           
autographic because x is drawn ?r\gh a  
wax surface1 n scrat*$ 9 a resi/+ metal 
surface4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #h     
,detail ( ,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock
 ( %eep1 left c5t]1 %[+ light drypo9t   
l9es ( ! horizon & et*$ l9es ( figures &
 hillside4 ,enl>g$ #aj times4           
7,smi?sonian photo #eichd47             
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #i  ,detail (    
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1  
left c5t]1 %[+ =ceful l9es ( tree bran* 
9 pure drypo9t4 ,enl>g$ #aj times4      
7,smi?sonian photo #eicij47             
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #aj  ,detail (   
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1  

c5t]1 %[+ diagonal l9es ( light drypo9t 
)\t burr4 ,enl>g$ #aj times4            
7,smi?sonian photo #eiche47  ,! drypo9t 
l9e1 by its nature1 is m abrupt &       
=ceful1 %[+ ! quality ( hav+ be5 scrat*$
 r ?an drawn4 ,!re are two basic drypo9t
 l9es1 dep5d+ ^u ! position 9 :i* !     
drypo9t ne$le is held4 ,:5 x is v]tical 
or ne>ly s1 ! result+ l9e is %all[ &    
pr9ts m weakly & di/antly ?an ! et*$    
l9e4 ,:5 ! ne$le is pull$ at an angle ( 
ab\t #cj to #fj1 a v p]ceptible furr[ ( 
copp] burr is ?r[n up on "o or bo? sides
 ( ! l9e on ! plate4 ,?is burr holds m  
ink ?an ! cle> *annel & pr9ts ) a highly
 di/9ctive inky ri*ness4 ,basically1    
et*+ removes metal f ! plate entirely1  
:]eas drypo9t displaces x 9 furr[s (    
burr4 ,! ri* fuzzy l9e produc$ by ! burr
 is :at we mo/ typically associate )    
drypo9t "w4 ,! fir/ sort1 ! ?9 di/ant   
l9e1 is nev]!less j z truly drypo9t z ! 
latt] & is di/+ui%able by its =cefulness
 & cle> direction4#bf ,! same l9e may   
also be creat$1 ) slightly m "w1 by us+ 

a scrap] to remove ! burr f a ri*       
drypo9t l9e4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #aa
  ,detail ( ,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a    
flock ( %eep1 bottom "r1 %[+ ri* drypo9t
 l9es ) burr4 ,enl>g$ #aj times4        
7,smi?sonian photo #eichf47  ,ano!r way 
( mak+ l9es 9 a plate is ) a bur9--an   
in/rum5t ) a %>p triangul> po9t--:i* is 
pu%$ ?r\gh ! copp]1 in/ead ( be+ pull$1 
z is ! drypo9t ne$le4 ,:5 us$           
conv5tionally1 ! bur9 produces a v      
*>act]i/ic h>d1 controll$ pr9t$ l9e1 "o 
:i* does n appe> 9 ?is pr9t4 ,:5 us$    
lightly1 h[ev]1 its l9e is virtually    
indi/+ui%able f t ( ! v]tical drypo9t   
ne$le4 ,x is q possible t ,rembr&t us$ !
 bur9 9 "s ( 8 "w on ?is & o!r pr9ts1 b 
x seems a some:at less likely tool ?an !
 drypo9t4 ,fir/1 ! non-et*$ l9es 9 ?is  
pr9t seem to h a m freely mov+ quality  
?an c\ld probably be produc$ ) a bur91 a
 r /iff1 if extremely precise tool4     
,second1 :5 ,rembr&t 0 commission$ 9    
#affe to engrave a portrait expressly ) 
a bur91 he f\nd himself unable to d     

s4#bg ,8 inability1 h[ev]1 may be       
attribut$ z easily to ,rembr&t's arti/ic
 indep5d5ce z to 8 inexp]i5ce ) ! bur94 
,rembr&t's g5]al use ( ! bur9 has be5   
widely accept$4 ,! "q may n be t simple4
 ,^! visible diff]5ces1 !n1 enable u to 
sep>ate ! k9ds ( l9e )9 ?is pr9t4  ,!   
au?or has attempt$1 by trac+ only ! et*$
 l9es 9 ! pr9t1 to recreate ! /ate ( !  
plate aft] ,rembr&t's et*+ & be=e !     
application ( drypo9t 7figure #ab74 ,x c
 be se5 t ,rembr&t's et*$ l9es =m only a
 f\ndation or skeleton = ! f9i%$ "w4 ,x 
is 9 no s5se complete 9 itself4 ,m      
important1 ! picture lacks all ! ri*    
contra/s ( light & %ade :i* di/+ui% ?is 
pr9t & mo/ ( ,rembr&t's f9i%$ "w4       
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #ab  ,trac$ sket*
 by ! au?or1 %[+ only ! et*$ l9es 9     
,rembr&t's pr9t1 ,l&scape ) a hay b>n & 
a flock ( %eep4 7,smi?sonian photo      
#eicih47  ,x has be5 g5]ally assum$ t   
,rembr&t w5t ?r\gh a fairly normal      
process ( /opp+-out & also re-et*+ 9 !  
c\rse ( 8 pr9t-mak+4 ,! visual evid5ce  

w\ld indicate t he did n foll[ ?is      
proc$ure "h4 ,/opp+-out is1 ( c\rse1 a  
means ( creat+ v>iations 9 ! pr9t$      
int5sity ( et*$ l9es4 ,aft] a plate has 
et*$ = a c]ta9 "t--dep5d+ on ! arti/'s  
incl9ation--x may be remov$ f ! acid &  
"s ( its l9es cov]$ ) a /op-out v>ni%1  
simil> 9 texture & acid resi/ance to !  
basic gr\nd4 ,! plate is !n put back 9 !
 acid & ! rema9+ l9es et*$ m deeply4    
,?is c be repeat$ any numb] ( times1    
giv+ a wide range ( int5sity to ! v>i\s 
et*$ l9es4 ,no su* wide range ( et*$    
l9es appe>s 9 ! f9i%$ pr9t4 ,fur!r1 :]e 
! edge ( appli$ /op-out v>ni% crosses a 
s+le l9e1 ! *ange 9 dep? ( acid bit+ at 
t po9t is readily visible4 ,aga91 no su*
 *ange ( dep? ( a s+le l9e is visible   
"h4 ,! inf]5ce1 unless attribut$ to v   
long co9cid5ce1 seems probable t        
,rembr&t us$ only a s+le acid et* on !  
entire plate1 ) no /opp+-out4  ,re-et*+ 
also seems unlikely4 ,if ! orig9al gr\nd
 has be5 remov$ f a plate1 ! entire     
plate mu/ be re-gr\nd$1 )\t smok+ or    

:it5+1 s t ! previ\sly et*$ l9es %[     
?r\gh4 ,noticeably heavi] et*$ l9es     
appe> at only a few places on ?is plate1
 pr9cipally 9 ! grass at ! l[] "r4 ,x is
 probable t ,rembr&t us$ a numb] ( et*+ 
ne$les ( diff]5t wid?s4 ,we d n see !   
typical *anges 9 ! l9es produc$ by      
/opp+-out or re-et*+4 ,re-et*+ ( new    
l9es cross+ previ\sly et*$ l9es (t5     
causes a slight p5etration ( acid "u !  
gr\nd into ! old l9es4 ,?is %[s 9 !     
pr9t+ z a d>k spot at ! po9t ( cross+4  
,su* an effect is n f\nd 9 ?is pr9t4 ,a 
simil> result 9 ! cross-hat*+ at ! l[]  
left is caus$ in/ead by drypo9t l9es    
cross+ et*$ l9es4  ,no direct evid5ce   
has be5 f\nd conc]n+ ! acid corrosive   
us$ by ,rembr&t to bite 8 plate4#bh     
,only t5tative conclusions c be drawn f 
?is & o!r pr9ts4 ,! et*$ l9es 9 !       
,l&scape ) a hay b>n 444 appe> to be    
bitt5 ) a fairly /rong acid4 ,! l9es are
 relatively broad 9 relation to _! dep?1
 a /rong-acid effect4 ,fur!rmore1       
illu/rations ( "s ( ,rembr&t's orig9al  

plates f ?is p]iod %[ a simil> broad    
l9e4#bi ,9 addition1 9 ! photograph     
7figure #ad7 ( at lea/ "o ( ! plates !re
 is se5 a peculi>ly ragg$ l9e :i* is (t5
 caus$ by bubbles =m$ on ! plate by acid
 action4#cj ,?is appe>ance ( bubbles is 
*>act]i/ic only ( ! /rong acids4 ,( !   
acid =mulae sugge/$ by ,bosse 9 #afde1  
only "o--a di/illate ( vitriol1         
saltpet]1 & alum--appe>s to be /rong    
en\gh to produce ! obs]v$ effects4#ca   
,g5]ally speak+1 ,rembr&t's lat] et*+s  
%[ evid5ce ( /rong] acid bit+ ?an 8     
e>li] "w1 :i* has m ( ! *>act]i/ics (   
weak mordants4#cb ,c]ta9ly1 a /rong acid
 w\ld produce a mu* spe$i] bit+ & bold] 
et*$ l9es1 provid+ him ) a solid        
f\ndation = 8 f9e drypo9t "w1 & enabl+  
him to "w cont9u\sly1 ) a m9imum (      
delay4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #ac      
,detail ( ,rembr&t's f9i%$ pr9t1        
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1  
l[] "r1 %[+ l9es ( pure et*+4 ,enl>g$   
#aj times4 7,smi?sonian photo #eichg47  
,illu/ration3 ,,figure #ad  ,detail ( ! 

et*$ copp] plate = ,rembr&t's pr9t1     
,*ri/ seat$ disput+ ) ! doctors4 ,aft]  
,coppi]1 p4 #aag4 7,smi?sonian photo    
#eicie47  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #ae    
,detail ( ,rembr&t's f9i%$ pr9t1        
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1  
f> "r1 %[+ drypo9t draw+ ( %eep & po/4  
,enl>g$ #aj times4 7,smi?sonian photo   
#eichh47  ,rembr&t's use ( drypo9t is1 z
 ,jakob ,ros5b]g says1 ! mo/ important  
innovation 9 ,rembr&t's mature graphic  
"w4#cc ,aft] et*+ 8 skeletal design on !
 plate1 he w5t to "w ) 8 drypo9t        
ne$les--long1 /iff1 iron                
in/rum5ts--%>p5$ to a f9e po9t4 ,an     
arti/ g5]ally has sev]al available1 s t 
he does n h to /op & re-%>p5 9 ! c\rse (
 8 "w4 ,rembr&t evid5tly w5t ev5 fur!r &
 delib]ately us$ dull ne$les to obta9   
c]ta9 light l9e effects4  ,:5 ! f9i%$   
pr9t is comp>$ ) ! sket* ( ! et*$ l9es  
alone1 x c be se5 h[ vital ! drypo9t is 
to ,rembr&t's :ole conception4 ,! ne$le 
held v]tically & slightly dull$1 =      
in/ance1 produc$ ! light %ad+s on !     

c5tral hillock at l[] left4 ,! %>p      
ne$le1 held at an angle1 ?rew up ! burr 
:i* pr9t$ z ! ri* blacks on bo? sides ( 
! hay b>n1 along ! bank ( ! /ream1 & on 
! road at left c5t]4 ,! %eep & po/ at ! 
f> "r 7 completely drawn ) drypo9t1 z 0 
! %eph]d ( ! flock at left c5t] 7figure 
#af74 ,x is int]e/+ to note t ! flock   
orig9ally _h two %eph]ds1 evid5tly a man
 & a woman1 /&+ at ! c5t] ( ! road &    
beh9d ! flock4#cd ,^! figures 7 drawn 9 
! gr\nd & et*$ 9 ! fir/ /age ( ! pr9t4  
,rembr&t !n mu/ h decid$ t _! proportion
 0 wrong = 8 composition4 ,he rework$ ! 
area1 us+ a scrap] or burni%] to flatt5 
out 8 et*$ l9es1 & cov]$ ! rema9+ gho/s 
( ! figures ) a me% ( drypo9t           
cross-hat*+4 ,he !n add$ ! s+le small   
figure ( ! %eph]d boy entirely 9        
drypo9t4  ,illu/ration3 ,,figure #af    
,detail ( ,rembr&t's f9i%$ pr9t1        
,l&scape ) a hay b>n & a flock ( %eep1  
%[+ %eph]d 9 drypo9t1 eras$ figures     
beh9d flock1 signature1 & date4 ,enl>g$ 
#e times4 7,smi?sonian photo #eichi47   

,h\brak51 writ+ 9 #agah1 talk$ (        
,rembr&t's te*nical secrets1 :i* he w\ld
 n let 8 pupils see4#ce ,9 tru?1 !re are
 no secrets to ?is arti/'s te*nique 9 ! 
et*+ m$ium4 ,b 8 ma/]y ( ! art goes f>  
beyond communicable secrets4            
,,footnotes   #a ,h9d #bda 7,a4 ,m4     
,h9d1 ,a ,catalogue ( ,rembr&t's ,et*+s1
 #b vol41 rev4 ed41 ,london1 #aibc71    
,b>ts* #bbd 7,adam ,b>ts*1 ,catalogue   
raisonne de t\tes les e/ampes 444 de    
,rembr&t 4441 ,vi5na1 #agig74 ,!        
p>ticul> example /udi$ "h is an         
impression ( ! second /ate 7( two7 9 !  
collection ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,national  
,museum1 ,smi?sonian ,in/itution4  ,!   
au?or wi%es to express 8 deepe/         
gratitude to ,jacob ,ka951 curator (    
graphic arts at ! ,smi?sonian           
,in/itution1 = 8 acute k1 unfail+       
helpfulness1 & enc\ragem5t 9 !          
prep>ation ( ?is pap]4  #b ,p4 ,g4      
,ham]ton1 = "o1 calls special att5tion  
to ! te*nical importance ( ?is pr9t3 ,i 
recomm5d ! /ud5t to famili>ize himself )

 ! workman%ip ( ?is plate4444 7,! ,et*+s
 ( ,rembr&t1 ,london1 #ahid1 p4 #ga47   
#c ,! date is unque/ionably difficult to
 read4 ,b>ts* misread x z #afcf 7op4    
cit41 p4 #adh74 ,*>les ,middleton       
7,descriptive ,catalogue ( ! ,et*$ ,"w (
 ,rembr&t van ,ryn1 ,london1 #ahgh1 p4  
#bii7 0 ! fir/ to id5tify ! date z      
#afej4 ,?is has be5 accept$ by all mod]n
 au?orities except ,george ,birklund    
7,rembr&t's ,et*+s3 ,true & ,false1     
,/ockholm1 #aiee1 no4 #eb-;,a1 p4 #ajc7 
:o reads x z #afeb4 ,?is seems unlikely 
to me1 n only on ! great /yli/ic aff9ity
 ( ?is pr9t to ,rembr&t's unque/ion$    
works ( #afej1 b also on ! basis ( my   
own read+ ( ! date4 ,! presum$ digit #b 
is q unlike ! #b 9 ,h9d's #beg & #bfc1  
,rembr&t's only dat$ pr9ts ( #afeb4     
7,see figure #af47  #d ,! g5]al location
 ( ?is sc5e1 z well z _m o!rs 9         
,rembr&t's oeuvre1 has be5 id5tifi$ by  
,frits ,lugt 7,mit ,rembr&t 9 ,am/]dam1 
,b]l91 #aibj1 pp4 #acf-adj1 revis$ f !  
orig9al ,dut*1 ,w&el+5 met ,rembr&t 9 en

 om ,am/]dam1 ,am/]dam1 #aiae2 see also 
,lugt1 ,rembr&t's ,am/]dam1 ,pr9t       
,collector's ,qu>t]ly1 ,april #aiae1    
vol4 #e1 no4 #b1 pp4 #aaa-afi1 & !      
atta*$ map74  #e ,cornelis ,h(/$e de    
,groot1 ed41 ,die ,urkund5 b] ,rembr&t  
7#aege-agba71 ,! ,hague1 #aijf4 ,on !   
lawsuit1 see nos4 #aac1 #aag1 #aah1     
#abj-c1 #acj1 & #afe4 ,ge]tghe 0 tak5 to
 ! in/itution on ,july #d1 #afej4  #f   
,on ! f9ancial tr\bles1 />t+ 9 #afec1   
see ibid41 nos4 #adj ff4  #g ,! exact   
numb] is1 ( c\rse1 impossible to        
det]m9e1 because ( _m unc]ta9ties (     
attribution & dat+4 ,a4 ,m4 ,h9d1 op4   
cit41 li/s #bcf pr9ts be=e ! ye> #afej1 
:i* seems z accurate a c\nt z is        
possible4  #h ,accord+ to ,h9d1 op4     
cit41 ! #ad l&scapes nos4 #bcg-bfj &    
#bfb-bfd are attributable to ! ye>s     
#afej-eb4 ,( ! #bg pr9ts f ^! ?ree ye>s1
 #af are actually sign$ & dat$ by       
,rembr&t4 ,n9e ( ^! #af are l&scapes4   
#i ,e4g41 ,c4 ,j4 ,holmes1 ,!           
,developm5t ( ,rembr&t z an ,et*]1      

,burl+ton ,magaz9e 7,augu/ #aijf71 vol4 
#i1 no4 #da1 p4 #cac4 ,! well-kn[n /ory 
( 8 hav+ drawn ,six's ,bridge 7,h9d     
#bji7 on ! plate :ile ! s]vant w5t = !  
mu/>d is also (t5 cit$ 7e4g41 ,h9d1 op4 
cit41 p4 #ie71 b if true appe>s to be   
atypical4  #aj ,otto ,b5es*1 ,! ,draw+s 
( ,rembr&t1 #f vol41 ,london1 #aied-eg4 
#aa ,b5es* no4 #abbe1 ,gron+5 7,ne!rl&s7
 ,museum1 inv4 no4 #baj1 dat$ ab\t      
#afej1 ! wa% add$ by ano!r h&4 ,?is     
draw+ 0 =m]ly 9 ! p]sonal collection (  
,cornelis ,h(/$e de ,groot & 0 fir/     
reproduc$ & discuss$ by ,otto ,hirs*mann
 9 ,die ,h&zei*nung5-,sammlung ,dr4     
,h(/$e de ,groot im ,haag1 ,,ii1 ,d]    
,cic]one 7,leipzig1 ,janu>y #aiag71 vol4
 #i1 no4 #a_/b1 pp4 #ba-bb4  #ab ,b5es* 
#hej1 ,a ,clump ( ,trees1 ,! ,h]mitage1 
,l5+rad1 ab\t #afdh-ej1 & ,b5es* #abdf1 
,f>m ,build+ ,among ,trees1 ,alb]t9a1   
,vi5na1 inv4 no4 #hhgc1 ,h(/$e de ,groot
 #adig 7,die ,h&zei*nung5 ,rembr&ts 4441
 ,ha>lem1 #aijf71 ab\t #afej-ea4  #ac   
,b5es* #abcf1 ,f>m/ead ) a ,hay ,b>n1   

,cop5hag51 ab\t #afej4  #ad ,b5es*      
#abbf1 ,f>m ,build+s ,beside a ,road )  
,di/ant ,f>m/ead1 ,a%molean ,museum1    
,ox=d1 ,h(/$e de ,groot #aach1 ab\t     
#afej1 ) lat] additions4 ,ludwig ,mnz   
7,rembr&t's ,et*+s1 #b vols41 ,london1  
#aieb1 no4 #aei1 vol4 #b1 p4 #hd7 cites 
two draw+s1 "o 9 ! ,a%molean1 "o 9 !    
,univ]sity ,gall]y1 ,ox=d4 ,s9ce ! two  
museums are n[ "o & ! same1 ,mnz appe>s 
to h confus$ two li/+s ( ! same draw+4  
,mr4 ,hugh ,mac&rew ( ! ,a%molean       
,museum has v k9dly confirm$1 9 a lett] 
to ! au?or1 t 9 _! collection !re is    
only ! "o draw+ :i* is simil> to ?is    
pr9t4 ,!re is yet ano!r draw+1 ,f>m )   
,hay ,b>n1 9 ! ,bonnat collection at !  
,l\vre1 ,p>is1 ,h(/$e de ,groot #gfd1   
:i* is cit$ by ,h9d z a /udy sket*4     
,?\gh v simil> to ?is pr9t1 9 rev]se1 x 
is consid]$ a s*ool piece by bo? ,lugt &
 ,b5es*4 ,x is q possible t "o (        
,rembr&t's pupils accompani$ him on 8   
walks & sket*$ _m ( ! same subjects z ! 
ma/]4 ,! draw+ reproduc$ 9 ,lugt1 ,mit  

,rembr&t 4441 op4 cit41 fig4 #hg1 is    
also n by ,rembr&t4  #ae ,joa*im von    
,s&r>t1 a =m] pupil ( ,rembr&t1 writ+ 9 
#afge1 quot$ 9 ,h(/$e de ,groot1 ,die   
444 ,urkund51 op4 cit41 no4 #cbi1 p4    
#cib4  #af ,! plate = ! pr9t "u         
discussion "h is n kn[n to h surviv$4   
,!re are1 h[ev]1 /ill "s #gi ,rembr&t   
plates ^: pres5t locations are kn[n4 ,( 
^!1 #ge are 9 ! collection ( ,rob]t ,lee
 ,humb]1 on deposit at ! ,nor? ,c>ol9a  
,museum ( ,art1 ,raleigh1 ,nor? ,c>ol9a4
 ,^! are discuss$ at "s l5g? by ,&r     
,*>les ,coppi] 7,les eaux-=tes de       
,rembr&t1 ,p>is1 #aibb1 pp4 #id-if74 ,he
 gives ! *emical cont5t ( ! plate = !   
,pres5tation 9 ! ,temple 7,h9d #afb1    
ab\t #afdj71 z #ie copp] ) impurities ( 
t91 lead1 z9c1 ars5ic1 & silv]4 ,?is may
 presumably be tak5 z typical4 ,mnz1 op4
 cit41 vol4 #b1 p4 #dg1 gives a li/+ ( !
 surviv+ plates1 b mi/ak5ly presumes !  
,humb] plates to be 9 ! ,biblio?que     
,nationale1 ,p>is4 ,z a matt] ( int]e/1 
! plate ( ! pr9t1 ,! ,gold-,weigh] 7,h9d

 #afg71 said by ,mnz to be 9 ! ,ros5wald
 collection1 ,philadelphia1 is n & nev] 
has be5 9 t collection4 ,x is completely
 unkn[n to ,mr4 ,less+ ,j4 ,ros5wald & 8
 curator4 ,its pres5t :]eab\ts is unkn[n
 to ! au?or4  #ag ,! ,:ole ,art (       
,draw+1 ,pa9t+1 ,limn+1 & ,et*+4        
,collect$ out ( ! ,*oice/ ,italian &    
,g]man ,au?ors4444 ,orig9ally inv5t$ &  
writt5 by ! fam\s ,italian ,pa9t]       
,odo>do ,fialetti1 ,pa9t] ( ,boloign4   
,publi%$ = ! ,b5efit ( all +5u\s        
,g5tlem5 & ,arti/s by ,alex&] ,br[n     
,practition]4 ,london1 ,pr9t$ = ,pet]   
,/9t at ! ,signe ( ! ,:ite ,horse 9     
,giltspurre ,/reet1 & ,simon ,mill] at !
 ,/>re 9 ,/4 ,paul's ,*ur*y>d1 ,,mdclx4 
,page #cc4 ,london1 #affj4 ,quot$ by    
,mnz1 op4 cit41 vol4 #b1 p4 #bjh1 :o    
fir/ discov]$ ! ref]5ce4 ,s9ce ,fialetti
 di$ 9 #afch1 ! ref]5ce to ,rembr&t's   
gr\nd is likely to be by ,br[n or an    
anonym\s contempor>y editor4  #ah       
,abraham ,bosse1 ,traict des mani]es de 
grav] en taille d\ce 4441 ,p>is1 #afde1 

p4 #da4 ,bosse's s(t-gr\nd =mula1 =     
comp>ison's sake1 is ?ree p>ts wax1 two 
p>ts ma/ic1 & "o "p asphaltum1 :i* is v 
close to ! cit$ ,rembr&t gr\nd4  #ai    
,num]\s simil> gr\nds are giv5 9 ,e4 ,s4
 ,lumsd51 ,! ,art ( ,et*+ 7,london3     
,seeley ,s]vice & ,co41 #aibd72 repr9t  
7,new ,york3 ,dov] ,publications1 ,inc41
 #aifb71 pp4 #ce-ch4  #bj ,loc4 cit4    
7footnote #ag74  #ba ,"s et*]s1 h[ev]1  
pref] ?is effect4 ,cf4 ,lumsd51 op4     
cit41 p4 #db4  #bb ,mnz1 op4 cit41 vol4 
#b1 p4 #ac1 quotes ?is lett] )\t giv+ ! 
s\rce4 ,evid5tly ?is is ! fir/ writt5   
ref]5ce to :ite gr\nd4  #bc ,op4 cit41  
pp4 #df-dh4 ,k ( ! process seems to h   
disappe>$ completely dur+ ! #ah? & #ai? 
c5turies4 ,hub]t ,h]kom]1 writ+ 9 #ahib1
 believ$ t he _h inv5t$ ! :ite gr\nd = !
 fir/ "t 7,et*+ & ,mezzot9t ,engrav+1   
,london1 #ahib1 pp4 #d & #be74  #bd ,!  
et*+ is ,h9d #db4 ,! draw+ 7,b5es* #ba1 
,h(/$e de ,groot #hic7 is 9 ! ,briti%   
,museum4 ,! black *alk has be5 confirm$ 
7see footnote #be74 ,x is also cle> t ! 

back+ is n graphite1 :i* w\ld1 ( c\rse1 
%[ up on a black gr\nd z well z a :ite  
"o4  #be ,! et*+ is ,h9d #ahg4 ,! draw+ 
7,b5es* #geh1 ,h(/$e de ,groot #hif7 is 
9 ! ,briti% ,museum4 ,"s s*ol>ly        
mis9=mation has un=tunately be5 pass$ on
 = ye>s4 ,mnz1 op4 cit41 vol4 #b1 p4    
#fe1 cites ,jan ,six 7,rembr&t's        
,vorb]eid+ 4441 ,onze ,kun/1 #aijh1     
,,ii1 p4 #ec71 :o 9 turn cites ! p]sonal
 obs]vation ( ,a4 ,m4 ,h9d ( ! ,briti%  
,museum1 to ! effect t ?is draw+ (      
,anslo 0 back$ ) black *alk4 ,! two     
draw+s _h app>5tly n be5 lift$ f _!     
m\nts 9 some?+ l sixty ye>s4 ,9 answ] to
 ! au?or's inquiry1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,k4 ,r[l&s1
 ,assi/ant ,keep]1 ,dep>tm5t ( ,pr9ts & 
,draw+s1 ! ,briti% ,museum1 v k9dly     
wrote3 ,i c n[ tell y ab\t ! backs ( ,h4
 #db & ,h4 #ahg t is1 ! draw+s = ^! two 
pr9ts1 :i* h n[ be5 lift$4 ,! rev]se (  
,! ,woman ,ba?+ ,diana at ! ,ba? has !  
rema9s ( black unref9$ *alk ^u x & !    
portrait ( ,anslo is back$ ) ,o*re      
temp]a4 ,i ?9k ?is news w int]e/ y4 ,i  

am mo/ grateful to ,mr4 ,r[l&s & 8 /aff 
= _! tr\ble & k9dness4  #bf ,an excell5t
 example ( ?is type ( l9e is se5 9 !    
horizon l9es on ! left1 :i* 9 ?is case 7
 add$ only aft] sev]al pro(s _h be5     
pull$ f ! plate4 ,! addition ( ^! l9es  
con/itutes ! diff]5ce betwe5 ! record$  
fir/ & second /ates ( ?is pr9t4  #bg ,! 
docum5ts on ?is /ory 7 fir/ publi%$ by  
,br$ius 9 #aiji 7,rembr&t als           
,plaatsnijd]1 ,oud-,holl&1 v4 #bg1 pp4  
#aab f47 & h be5 frequ5tly cit$ s9ce !n4
 ,! pr9t is ! portrait ( ,jan ,antonides
 van d] ,l9d5 7,h9d #bfh74  #bh         
,confusion has aris5 ov] a note1 cle>ly 
9 ,rembr&t's h&1 on "o ( 8 draw+s       
7,b5es* #acea1 ,h(/$e de ,groot #gfc1   
dat$ ab\t #afed-ee74 ,! ,dut* text is   
giv5 9 ,b5es*1 op4 cit41 vol4 #f1 p4    
#cgd4 ,x reads1 ,9 ord] to et* 4441 &   
gives a recipe consi/+ ( turp5t9e &     
turp5t9e oil4 ,?is1 ( c\rse1 c\ld n     
possibly be a mordant4 ,mnz discusses x 
7op4 cit41 vol4 #b1 p4 #ad7 & concludes 
t ) ! addition ( ma/ic1 ?is c\ld be a   

k9d ( /op-out v>ni%4 ,we are n likely to
 come clos] to an answ] = ?is cryptic   
inscription4  #bi ,coppi]1 op4 cit4  #cj
 ,ibid41 p4 #aag4 ,detail ( plate = ,h9d
 #bgg1 dat$ #afed4  #ca ,bosse1 op4     
cit41 pp4 #e & #aa4 ,vitriol is copp] or
 iron sulfate1 saltpet] is potassium    
nitrate1 & alum is an alum9um sulfate   
salt4 ,bosse's o!r two acids are di/ill$
 pure v9eg> 7acetic acid7 & a boil$     
mixture ( v9eg> & *loride salts4 ,bo?   
are relatively weak4 ,my ?anks to ,dr4  
,rob]t ,p4 ,mul?auf = 8 advice on       
#ag?-c5tury *emi/ry4  #cb ,felix ,brunn]
 7,a ,h&book ( ,graphic ,reproduction   
,processes1 ,new ,york3 ,ha/+s ,h\se1   
#aifb1 p4 #abd71 sugge/s t ,rembr&t may 
h us$ f]ric *loride1 a weak] mordant1   
ar\nd #afdj4  #cc ,ros5b]g1 ,rembr&t3   
,life & ,"w 7,london3 ,phaidon ,press1  
rev4 ed41 #aifd71 p4 #ccj4  #cd ,my     
gratitude to ,jacob ,ka95 = fir/ po9t+  
out ! exi/5ce ( ^! disembodi$ spirits4  
#ce ,arnold ,h\brak51 quot$ 9 ,h(/$e de 
,groot1 ,die ,urkund5 4441 op4 cit41 no4

 #djg1 p4 #dga4     ,u4,s4 ,,gov]nm5t   
,,pr9t+ ,,(fice3 #aiff  ,= sale by !    
,sup]9t5d5t ( ,docum5ts1 ,u4,s4         
,gov]nm5t ,pr9t+ ,(fice ,wa%+ton1 ,d4   
,c4 #bjdjb ,price #bj c5ts