Christ Before Pilate: Large Plate

Christ Before Pilate: Large Plate, created in 1635 by the influential Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), is a powerful example of the master’s early printmaking output. Classified as a print, this work utilizes the demanding intaglio technique of etching on paper. The subject matter depicts the dramatic, climactic moment recounted in the Gospels when Jesus stands trial before the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, awaiting the crowd's ultimate judgment. Unlike many of his smaller compositions, Rembrandt approached this piece as a large-format etching, allowing for a sprawling, detailed composition characteristic of the crowded narrative scenes favored during the Baroque era.

The meticulous line work and masterful application of varied etched lines create subtle gradations of shadow, demonstrating Rembrandt's profound control over light and volume, a characteristic often associated with his best works. This dramatic use of chiaroscuro in the print maximizes the tension and emotional depth of the biblical moment. Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this impressive piece reflects the robust market for high-quality graphic art and religious imagery that flourished throughout the Netherlands. While Rembrandt is equally known for his oil paintings, his immense output of fine art prints, such as Christ Before Pilate: Large Plate, cemented his reputation as an innovative printmaker. This specific impression is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a critical resource for scholars and making this historic image accessible to the public domain today.