Christ Preaching (The Hundred Guilder Print)

Christ Preaching (The Hundred Guilder Print) by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating to approximately 1649, is a highly significant example of 17th-century graphic arts and a definitive work within the artist’s prolific catalog of prints. This masterful image was created through a complex and experimental process utilizing etching, drypoint, and burin on a sheet of fine Japan paper, techniques which allowed Rijn to achieve an unprecedented level of tonal richness and atmospheric depth.

The scene depicts Christ delivering a sermon, surrounded by a diverse, densely gathered congregation. Rijn structured the composition to illustrate the varying reactions of humanity to the teachings, masterfully using light and shadow to articulate the psychological drama. The central, illuminated figures are the sick and the poor, clustered near Christ, seeking healing and salvation. In the surrounding darkness, skeptical Pharisees and wealthy, well-dressed observers occupy the periphery, highlighting the social and religious tensions of the era.

The work is firmly placed within the Dutch Golden Age, a time defined by innovation in printmaking and painting. The complex medium blends fine, sharp lines with areas of velvety drypoint texture, establishing a standard for graphic excellence during the period of 1601 to 1650. The piece derives its famous nickname, The Hundred Guilder Print, from the exceptionally high price it allegedly commanded in the marketplace during the artist’s lifetime, confirming its immediate recognition as a major achievement.

As an enduring masterwork, this celebrated print exemplifies Rijn’s ability to imbue biblical subjects with profound human emotion and realism. This treasured impression is part of the distinguished holdings of the National Gallery of Art. Given its cultural and historical significance, the image has entered the collective archive and is frequently studied via public domain resources globally.