mezzotint
24.7 x 16.7 cm
Wurzbach 8; Frederik Muller 3985-33 [1]
A very fine and rich proof impression, trimmed to or slightly within the platemark, generally in very good condition

The play Jan Claasz off Gewaande dienstmaagd by Thomas Asselyn published in 1683 in Amsterdam was an important source of inspiration for Cornelis Troost (1696-1750) and his contemporaries. The story evolves around Saartje Jansz who is destined to marry the dull and clumsy Reinier Adriaansz. Saartje, however, has no intentions to marry Reinier Adriaansz as she is in love with Jan Claasz. To avoid the unwanted marriage, Saartje and Jan devise a cunning plan; Jan dresses as a woman and slips into the bed of Saartje
during the night. On the morning of the wedding to Reinier, their deception is exposed by
Saartje’s enraged parents. To salvage the situation, Saartje pretends to faint, after which
her parents agree to her marriage to Jan.
The present mezzotint – a wonderfully atmospheric proof impression – depicts the moment Reinier Adriaansz declares his love (or indeed his intentions) to Saartje Jansz, who rejects her pursuer with a clear gesture. A drawing in reverse to the present print, which is likely a copy after it, is in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. [2]

[1] F. Muller, 'De Nederlandse geschiedenis in platen. Beredeneerde beschrijving van Nederlandsche Historieplaten, zinneprenten en historische kaarten. […]', Amsterdam, 1863-1870, vol. 2, p. 184.
[2] J.W. Niemeijer, 'Cornelis Troost. 1696-1750', Assen, 1973, p. 263, no. 370 T.