Reading prophet.

Etching, 10 x 8 cm, very thin laid paper, signed in the plate at lower margin "M. Willmann F." (trimmed just outside the platemark, some paper creases near edges).

Under passe-partout.

A very rare etching by Willmann (1630-1706), known as the "Silesian Rembrandt". Willmann went to the Dutch Republic in 1650 to learn from the masters and was inspired by the works of Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, and Anthony van Dyck. For financial reasons he was unable to afford to study at the studio of a well-known painter. He therefore studied on his own, often copying works of the artists he was inspired by. His early style was particularly influenced by the style of Rembrandt, as can clearly be seen in this fine etching.