ENGRAVING BY WILLEM PIETERSZ. DE LEEUW, "TOBIT AND HIS WIFE",Dutch, 17th Century. Tobit and his Wife, a 17th century print engraved/ etched by Willem Pietersz. de Leeuw after a composition by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Scene shows Tobit, seated with his wife inside their home. The composition is based on a lost painting by Rembrandt.
Inscription from Dutch poet C.G. Plempius: "Paupere sub tecto Tobias perpendit manes/ Delicias hominum, et gaudia fluxa pius./ Sorteq divitiae veniunt, et forte recedunt:/ O pietas, laus est semper, honorq tibi."
Other inscriptions: "WdLeeuw fecit" 'Rembr. van Rijn inv."
Willem Pietersz. de Leeuw (1603-1665) was a Dutch printmaker and painter, and a pupil of Pieter Stoutman. His prints are held in major repositories such as The Harvard Museums, and The Fitzwilliam Museum, which houses an impression of this composition. Tobit and his Wife is described by Michael Bryan as one of de Leeuw's best compositions. - Sheet dimensions: 14" high x 10 1/4" wide. Impression dimensions: 11.75" high x 8.25" wide. Estimate $200-300
