Christ Preaching (The Hundred Guilder Print) by Rembrandt van Rijn, executed between 1643 and 1649, is considered the technical and conceptual zenith of the artist’s graphic oeuvre. This complex and highly detailed print utilizes the combination of etching, drypoint, and burin on European paper. The artwork earned its famous colloquial title from the enormous price (one hundred guilders) Rijn allegedly received for an impression during his lifetime, reflecting its immediate renown and the immense labor invested in its creation.
Rijn mastered the variations offered by these combined printmaking processes to achieve an unparalleled range of tonal values and textural effects. The drypoint, in particular, created a rich, velvety burr that lends profound depth to the shadows, contrasting sharply with the radiant light illuminating Christ. The central scene depicts Christ standing amid a densely populated space, welcoming the poor, the sick, and those seeking spiritual guidance. The crowd surrounding him is a testament to the artist’s observational skills, featuring figures representing diverse social strata, ages, and emotional states, from the receptive listener to the skeptical Pharisee lurking in the background.
This piece belongs squarely within the flourishing artistic production of the Dutch Golden Age (the period 1601 to 1650). Rijn’s intimate, deeply human approach to religious narratives defined much of the Dutch cultural output of this time. The work serves not only as a theological statement but also as a detailed documentation of 17th-century European society. This iconic impression of Christ Preaching (The Hundred Guilder Print) is maintained within the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, allowing researchers and the public access to this foundational piece of European graphic arts. As a celebrated historical work, high-quality images and educational prints are often released into the public domain, ensuring its continued study alongside other masterful Dutch works of this era.
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