Christ Preaching

Christ Preaching is an extraordinary print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1657. This late work of the Dutch Golden Age master is a testament to Rijn’s mastery of the etching technique and his profound approach to biblical narratives. The artist chose to execute this highly experimental piece on the rare and delicate support of Japanese paper, a choice that contributes significantly to the print’s distinctive luminosity and the soft, warm tonal effects.

The composition centers on Jesus delivering a sermon, standing in an illuminated position against a darker background. He is surrounded by a diverse crowd of listeners, reflecting various ages, social classes, and emotional responses to his message. Rijn expertly uses intense contrast, or chiaroscuro, a hallmark of his style, to highlight the central figure of Christ while carefully rendering the faces and gestures of the onlookers in shadow. This mature work demonstrates Rijn's sophisticated printmaking methods, relying on intricate line work and meticulous wiping of the plate to achieve remarkable atmospheric depth.

The profound emotional and technical quality of this piece ensures its status among Rijn's most celebrated prints. It provides crucial insight into the artist’s later period, emphasizing intimacy and spiritual focus over elaborate Baroque drama. This specific impression of Christ Preaching is held within the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum, serving as a definitive example of 17th-century Dutch graphic arts. As a work created prior to 1923, the image falls within the public domain, allowing for broad study and appreciation of Rijn's enduring genius in printmaking.