To pursue Bols good fortune we need only turn to the Rijksmuseum catalogue p.134, there we find that a particularly fine Rembrandt drawing has been re-attributed to Ferdinand Bol, a painter of little standing or quality. Bol happened to make a painting of the group Rembrandt set up in his studio of Hagar and the Angel. Even better luck he was working near Rembandt (just to the left of Rembrandt himself). It is quite probable that Rembrandt made the drawing to help Bol get a little more excitement into Hagar’s gesture. If so Rembrandt sadly failed to make his point. Bols Hagar remains unmoved by the miraculous apparition.
In Rembrandt’s drawing Hagar’s hands are a miracle of virtuosity. It would seem that the pen never left the paper as it outlined the the fingers on a most amazingly beautiful pair of hands. Rembrandt quite often drew hands this way but never before so successfully. This was Rembrandt on top form, so is the body of Hagar, gorgeous. The Angel is also typical but not quite so sparkling. The outstretched hand absolutely typical Rembrandt. Our team of three have used this example to plunder Rembrandt’s quality portfolio in favour of Bol on many occasions. Just turn to page 136 and see how a particularly amusing Rembrandt has also fallen to Bols credit. (Vertumnus and Pomona, once exhibited as particularly typical of Rembrandt.)
I know the gang have found comfortable niches for themselves in museums but given they have devolved so far from normal human feelings maybe they would be happier in a zoo.
Bol's dull Hagar
Rembrandt's failed lesson to Bol