Rembrandt Etching (The Windmill)

This is an etching we purchased at a silent auction at the Retirement Community we used to work for many years ago. We have kept it safe and know that is most likely a restrike, but have still seen Rembrandt etchings can be valuable. We have just never known if this is a piece we could sell that would be worth paying for a paid appraisal to do so.  Thank you for any input you may have. Of if you want photos from certain angles etc to help

Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669)
Title: The Windmill
Date on Plate: 1641
Medium: Etching (appears to be a later restrike)
Signature & Inscriptions: Printed signature in plate ("Rembrandt f. 1641")
Visible Impressions: Plate mark visible, with what appears to be pencil or plate annotations on the lower margin
Condition: Good overall — slight aging and edge wear, as expected from older prints
Paper: Period-style laid paper with deckled edges

Artwork Description

This etching is a reproduction of Rembrandt's 1641 original titled The Windmill (B. 233; Hind 190; NH 241). The scene is an iconic one, showcasing a rustic Dutch windmill on a ridge, possibly reflecting the artist’s view from near his mother’s house in the Omval district. The fine lines and hatching are consistent with Rembrandt’s etching style, although the lack of rich plate tone and the paler ink density suggests this piece is not a lifetime impression.

Is This an Original?

It’s very likely a restrike, not a lifetime impression. Most prints bearing the Rembrandt plate signature with good impressions but on lighter paper, especially without deep plate wear or rich inking, are restrikes — many of which were made in the 18th to early 20th centuries.

Common sources of restrikes:

• Durand-Ruel restrikes (France, 19th century)
• Valentiner or British Museum restrikes
• German or Dutch art publishers in the 1800s

The pencil inscription “Etch Rembrandt 1641” and “De Molen Rembrandt” seem to have been added later to clarify authorship.

Estimated Value

If confirmed as a 19th- or early 20th-century restrike from an original Rembrandt plate:

• Auction Value: $300 – $1,000 depending on quality, paper, and provenance
• Retail Gallery Value: $800 – $2,500
• If it is a rare early posthumous impression (17th or early 18th century), the value may increase substantially ($5,000+), but this would need verification by an expert in Rembrandt prints.

Recommendations

1. Professional Authentication: If you believe it may be an early restrike or are considering selling, contact:
   • Christopher Bishop Fine Art – Specialist in old master prints
   • Swann Auction Galleries – They frequently handle Rembrandt etchings
   • A museum print curator (e.g., Getty, Met, or British Museum)
2. Appraisal: A paid appraisal by a certified print specialist would be worthwhile if you're considering insuring or selling the piece.