Christ Preaching, called La Petite Tombe

Christ Preaching, called La Petite Tombe by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), dating from 1657, is a sophisticated masterwork in the classification of prints. The piece utilizes a complex combination of etching, engraving, and drypoint techniques, indicating the artist's dedication to texture and atmospheric effect. This particular impression represents the rare first of two states, showcasing the plate before later reworkings softened some of the drypoint lines.

The intricate composition centers on the figure of Christ, who is depicted standing on a low platform or rise, actively engaged in preaching to a diverse crowd. Rembrandt skillfully arranges the multitude of listeners around him, ranging from the eager poor and sick in the immediate foreground, who are intensely illuminated, to the more skeptical or wealthy observers placed in the shadows of the background. The powerful contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the spiritual message being delivered and draws the viewer's eye to the central figure of Christ.

Produced during a prolific period of Rembrandt’s graphic output in Amsterdam, this 17th-century Dutch work is renowned for its detailed draftsmanship and dramatic use of tonal contrast, achieved in part through the rich burr characteristic of drypoint prints. The work derives its evocative nickname, La Petite Tombe, from a historical misinterpretation of a small, grave-like structure visible subtly in the dark background shadows. This exceptional impression is part of the collection held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is preserved as an important example of Rembrandt’s late graphic style.