Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves (The Three Crosses)

Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves (The Three Crosses) by Rembrandt van Rijn, executed in 1653, stands as a monument of seventeenth-century printmaking and a definitive work from the artist’s mature period. The piece is classified as a print, utilizing the highly expressive technique of drypoint on laid paper. Unlike standard etching, drypoint involves scratching directly into the copper plate with a sharp needle, raising a delicate burr that catches ink. When printed, this burr creates rich, dark, and velvety lines that give the composition its characteristic intense atmosphere and textural depth.

This powerful depiction of the Crucifixion captures the biblical scene with raw dramatic intensity. Rijn focuses the composition not only on the suffering of Christ positioned centrally between the two thieves but also on the chaotic, emotionally charged reaction of the crowd gathered beneath the crosses. Soldiers, mourning women, and figures on horseback are rendered in sharp contrast of light and shadow, demonstrating Rijn’s mastery of chiaroscuro applied to the print medium.

Created in the heart of the Dutch Golden Age (a period spanning 1651 to 1700), this work exemplifies the Baroque concern for psychological realism and narrative drama that flourished in Dutch society. Rijn’s continued engagement with religious themes, even as patronage shifted towards portraiture and genre scenes, cemented his reputation as a versatile master. The Three Crosses is particularly notable for existing in several different states, showcasing the artist’s constant process of revision and refinement of the image over several years. This specific impression resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it is studied as a primary example of Rijn’s revolutionary approach to prints and his profound exploration of human suffering.