Over the course of several decades, George and Maida Abrams amassed perhaps the finest private collection of Dutch Old Master drawings in the world. This catalogue presents a selection of these superb works, and explores the role of drawing in the creative process in Rembrandt's studio and wider circle. The artists featured include among others Ferdinand Bol, Govert Flinck, Samuel van Hoogstraten, Jan Lievens, and Nicolas Maes: the key figures in Rembrandt's circle, who at times were deeply influenced by his remarkable style and on other occasions explored different approaches. Their works range from figure studies to landscapes, from narrative and biblical scenes to lively genre scenes. At the heart of the catalogue are ten exceptional drawings by Rembrandt himself, including two highly finished landscape drawings and a variety of figure studies. The accompanying text is written by two leading scholars of Dutch art, both of whom have worked closely with the Abrams drawings, having advised the Boston lawyer on his collecting for many years.

Peter C. Sutton is Executive Director of the Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Conn. William W. Robinson is Maida and George Abrams Curator of Drawings at the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University.