Jacob's Ladder

The iconic Biblical scene, Jacob's Ladder, was created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655. This complex print, classified as the first of four known states, showcases the artist’s mastery of intaglio techniques, combining precise etching with the velvety, tonal richness of drypoint and the crisp lines provided by the burin. Rembrandt’s dedication to this medium resulted in some of the most influential prints of the Dutch Golden Age.

The subject derives from Genesis 28, illustrating the patriarch Jacob asleep outdoors, dreaming of a pathway ascending to Heaven. The composition is profoundly dramatic, focusing on the powerful interaction between sleeping men and the dynamic flow of angels descending and ascending the illuminated celestial stairs. Rembrandt utilizes strong contrasts, plunging the terrestrial world into shadow while the angelic vision is dramatically highlighted, demonstrating his unparalleled skill in rendering spiritual light through the printmaking process.

Rembrandt produced this work relatively late in his career, during a period when he focused intensely on highly personalized and emotionally resonant religious narratives. The technical complexity required for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s impression of Jacob's Ladder exemplifies this commitment to experimentation within the graphic arts. As a significant work from the mid-seventeenth century, this piece remains a cornerstone example of Dutch Baroque artistry, and high-resolution images of such historic prints are frequently made available through public domain initiatives by major institutions.