Artist: Jacob Adriaensz Backer (Dutch, 1608-1651), a history and portrait painter. From 1633, when Backer moved to Amsterdam, his work betrays the influence of Rembrandt, although it is very doubtful whether he was ever active in Rembrandt's workshop either as a pupil or assistant.
Intermediary draughtsman: Hendrik Pothoven (Dutch, 1725-1795), painter and draughtsman, working in Amsterdam.
Engraver: Jacob Houbraken (Dutch, 1698-1780). Engraver, a specialist in portraits. Also, dealer and collector of Rembrandt's etchings.
Title: Nicolaes Hasselaer (1593 – 1635), was a Dutch Golden Age brewer and major of the Amsterdam schutterij (militia), who is best known today for his portrait by Frans Hals.
Signed, Titled, and Dated: Majoor der Stad Amsterdam. H. Pothoven: del. na 't Origineele Schildery, waar in dezelve voor komt, in 't gewaat als majoor, berustende / in 't Burger-Weeshuis te Amsterdam. Jacob Backer pinxit. J. Houbraken Sculpsit.
Dimensions: Image 6 3/4" X 4 3/8". Sheet 9 5/8" x 6". Mat 20" x 13'.
Publisher: Isaak Tirion (Dutch, 1705-1765), publisher of books, maps, and prints; active in Amsterdam from 1725 onwards.
Edition: J. Wagenaar, Vaderlandsche geschiedenis... 21 Vol. Amsterdam 1749-1759 and later editions. Several editions of this work were published in the eighteenth century.
Date: 1749 - 1780 and/or 1796.
Materials and Techniques: engraving on laid paper.
Watermark: yes.
Mat and Frame: Matted. Hinged along the upper corners of the sheet. The mat bears the label of the Lakeside Studio, Lakeside, Michigan (before 1987).
Provenance: Lakeside Studio, Lakeside, Michigan (before 1987).
- The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: Wears to margins and to the mat. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Catalog Raisonne: Ver Huell, p. 34. No. 187.
Museums and Libraries: The Rijksmuseum RP-P-OB-48.597. The British Museum 1939,0410.19.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: Dutch School XVII C. Dutch School XVIII C.
Note: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of the same item from The Rijksmuseum and The British Museum collections.