Dutch? etching signature

Hi all,

Can anyone identify the artist of this etching? Is it a Dutch canal somewhere?

thanks a lot!

Sam

 

Yes, it is a view of the Rapenburg in Leiden. The building with the tower is the Academy Building, part of Leiden University. It was built in 1516.

Could you take a better photo of the writing on the right? I think I read "Atelier Maarten (something)", but it is a blur, so I need a clear view of the writing.

The Academy Building on the Rapenburg today, still the same as in your etching:

 

@Any Jewelry Thank you! Yes that makes sense, it says Leiden academie I believe. I thought that was the artist signature.

here is the other writing:

 

Yes it does. Academie is Dutch for academy. As you see, Dutch is really easy.
I still can't read the last bit of the siggy, but it is the name of a studio: Atelier Maarten (something). Atelier simply means studio. Maarten is one of the Dutch versions of Martin, used only as a first name.
I looked at Leiden streetnames that have the name Maarten in it. There is one, Maartenshof, but that is not the name of the studio.

I think the name of the studio or maker is not that important, the style is pretty generic.
The subject will have more appeal. There is even a Rembrandt connection. Rembrandt studied at Leiden University for two years. At the time the university was housed in the Academy Building.

 

Sam, I just noticed the name on the tag. It is from an art gallery in The Hague that no longer exists. But the address is interesting, it is in the 'Passage', one of those posh 19th century glass roofed and arcaded shopping streets. So it must have been a pretty up-market gallery.

Passage:

 

When I saw the location written on the etching I suddenly thought ...gotta get me some of that Leidse kaas next time I'm in the Dutch deli!

 

The inspiration you get on Antiquers! The best forum ever!

 

Thanks so much @Any Jewelry .. I thought of you when I saw it was Dutch. Couldn’t go wrong for 50p in the market either lol.

 

Certainly not. It is very nice quality and an attractive subject.