Abraham Entertaining the Angels [recto]

Abraham Entertaining the Angels [recto] by Rembrandt van Rijn, dated 1656, is a monumental example of the artist's mastery of intaglio techniques. Classified as Technical Material, this object is the actual etched copper plate used to produce one of Rijn's most celebrated religious prints, illustrating the Genesis 18 story where Abraham unknowingly hosts three divine messengers.

The work is executed using precise etching combined with drypoint, a technique visible in the deeply incised lines and the slight burr that holds ink, promising rich, dark tones in the resulting prints. This plate provides crucial insight into Rijn’s working methods during the height of the Dutch Golden Age (1651 to 1700). The composition demonstrates his characteristic ability to blend dramatic spiritual narrative with intimate human interaction, focusing on the humility and sudden awe of Abraham as he serves his guests.

As an artifact integral to the production of prints, this copper plate preserves the subtle corrections and additions Rijn made during the etching process. This Technical Material classification confirms its function as the originating matrix for the final paper impressions, allowing scholars to study the genesis of the image before multiple printings began to wear down the delicate drypoint lines.

Rijn was perhaps the greatest printmaker of his time, profoundly influencing subsequent generations of artists. The enduring popularity of his graphic works means that impressions pulled from plates like this one are foundational to global collections, often becoming available for study through public domain initiatives. This historically significant copper plate of Abraham Entertaining the Angels is part of the esteemed holdings of the National Gallery of Art, preserving a vital piece of 17th-century Dutch artistic production.