Jews in a Synagogue by Rembrandt van Rijn, print, 1648

Jews in a Synagogue

Rembrandt van Rijn

Year
1648
Medium
Etching and drypoint; second of nine states
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 13/16 × 5 1/8 in. (7.2 × 13 cm)
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art

About This Artwork

Jews in a Synagogue, executed by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1648, is an exemplary work demonstrating the artist's profound mastery of printmaking during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Classified as a print, this particular impression utilizes the complex intaglio techniques of etching and drypoint, allowing for subtle tonal variations and rich textures. This specific impression is identified as the second of nine known states, indicating an early stage in the development and refinement of the copper plate.

The subject matter centers on a group of men gathered within a synagogue or prayer house. Rembrandt, who resided near the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam, frequently depicted the city’s Jewish population, offering viewers rare, intimate glimpses into their daily lives and religious settings. The artist uses varying line weight and deep shadow-play, characteristic of his mature style, to focus attention on the central figures and the architectural details of the interior.

Rembrandt’s consistent output of high-quality prints ensured his wide influence across Europe. The technical precision achieved through drypoint, especially evident in the delineation of the drapery and the individualized faces of the figures, enhances the emotional depth and immediacy of the scene. This historically significant work, documenting life in 17th-century Amsterdam, is preserved within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As an artwork from this period, this influential Jews in a Synagogue print is generally considered to be in the public domain.

Cultural & Historical Context

Classification
Print

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