Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves (The Three Crosses)

Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves (The Three Crosses) is a foundational print created by the celebrated Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn in 1653. This piece exemplifies the artist’s profound mastery of drypoint, an intaglio technique where the image is incised directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle. Unlike standard etching, drypoint leaves a raised ridge of metal, known as the burr, on either side of the line. This burr retains ink during the printing process, yielding a distinctive, rich, and velvety quality to the lines, particularly evident in the dark areas of early impressions such as this one. Because the delicate burr wears down rapidly under the pressure of the press, impressions pulled early in the sequence are particularly prized for their dense tone and dramatic intensity.

The Crucifixion scene held enduring theological and dramatic appeal for Rijn throughout his career. Here, the artist captures the intense sorrow and chaos of the biblical event, using dramatic chiaroscuro to emphasize the sacred figures. The light focuses almost entirely on the figure of Christ, contrasting sharply with the multitude of soldiers, mourners, and horses gathered below the crosses, which are plunged into heavy shadow. Created during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age, within the period spanning 1651 to 1700, this work demonstrates the deeply expressive realism and emotional weight that Rijn brought to established religious narratives.

The complexity achieved through the drypoint medium marks Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves (The Three Crosses) as one of Rijn’s most ambitious graphic achievements. Prints like this are essential records for understanding the evolution of 17th-century Dutch printmaking. This magnificent impression resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a prime example of the innovative techniques employed by the master printmaker. This and many other significant historical prints within the National Gallery of Art’s extensive holdings are often available in the public domain for scholarly research and educational access.