The Triumph of Mordecai
Print (Etching and Drypoint) on paper • Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)
Style & Movement
Dutch Golden Age / Baroque
Medium & Technique
Etching and drypoint; the artist used a copper plate bitten with acid for the primary lines and a drypoint needle for the velvety burr and delicate shading.
Creation Period
circa 1641
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 174 x 215 mm (image size); horizontal/landscape format.
Subject Description
Based on the Book of Esther, the scene depicts the high official Haman forced by King Ahasuerus to lead his rival, the Jewish sage Mordecai, through the streets of Susa on the royal horse. Rembrandt captures the psychological tension between the humiliated Haman in the foreground and the stoic Mordecai, set against a crowded architectural backdrop with Queen Esther and the King looking on from a balcony.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair - The print appears to be a later state or a posthumous impression based on the lack of rich burr and softened contrast. Visible toning and slight foxing on the margins.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 (depending on state and paper quality)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Unknown from image; likely passed through private collections or estate sales. Posthumous print strikes were common in the 18th and early 19th centuries from the original plates.
Art Historical Significance
One of Rembrandt's most celebrated narrative etchings. It demonstrates his mastery of crowd dynamics and his ability to transpose a biblical drama into a tangible, human experience with sophisticated chiaroscuro.
Notable Features
Features the distinctive archway in the background and the detailed exotic costumes that Rembrandt studied from contemporary Dutch trade influences. The balance of light and shadow focused on the horse's flank is a hallmark of this composition.
Condition Issues
Light yellowing of paper (toning), minor surface dirt, and evidence of flattened drypoint lines suggesting a later pull from the plate. Possible trimming of the platemark.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend deacidification by a paper conservator, mounting with archival acid-free materials, and glazing with UV-filtering museum glass.