Etching, 1635, a fine impression, though very slightly dry in places, New Hollstein’s fifth (final) state Plate: 21.9 x 16.8 cm Provenance: Richard Dawnay, 10th Viscount Downe (1903-1965, Lugt 719A); Harrods Fine Art, 24 July 1973 Literature: Bartsch 340; cf. Hinterding 2008, no. 240; New Hollstein 154 The model is Rembrandt’s first wife, Saskia Uylenburgh, whom he had married the previous year. The work was considered at one time to depict a Jewish Bride in her finest attire sitting in a chair waiting for her future husband. More recently it has been interpreted as Saskia depicted as the Biblical figure Esther awaiting an audience with King Ahasuerus in order to plea for the Jews living in Persia – the scroll in her hand representing the decree ordering the persecution