Autograph inscription on Rembrandt's drawing of the old City hall of Amsterdam, 9 July 1652; Benesch 1278 (translation from the original Dutch: Anne Porcelijn)

Rembrandt made this drawing two days after the old Town-hall at Dam square in Amsterdam was burned out; the spotlight attracted a lot of attention and various artists have drawn the remains of the historic building. Two days after the fire, Rembrandt laid down the ruins of the building in a drawing. He made the sketch on the spot, standing or seated at (or in) the old daring building on the Dam, as he himself wrote in the inscription.