Medea: or The Marriage of Jason and Creusa

Medea: or The Marriage of Jason and Creusa is a profound print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1648. This work showcases the artist’s mastery of intaglio techniques, specifically combining etching enhanced by drypoint, which allowed for deep, velvety lines. As the fifth state of five, this particular impression reflects Rembrandt’s iterative process of refinement, demonstrating subtle yet significant changes made to the plate over time. This piece is held within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The subject, drawn from Greek mythology, captures the dramatic and tragic climax surrounding the figure of Medea, who stands isolated in the foreground. The composition depicts the moment her former husband, Jason, marries the Corinthian princess Creusa. Rembrandt meticulously constructs the scene, focusing the viewer’s eye on the tension between the central figure and the celebratory event unfolding behind her.

The background is dominated by a large Crowd observing the marriage ceremony, contrasting the public joy of the union with Medea’s private despair and impending revenge. This psychological depth, which gives weight to the figures even when constrained by the small scale of the print medium, is a hallmark of Rembrandt’s narrative style.

Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, this work exemplifies the artist’s dedication to historical and mythological subjects, grounding them with characteristic realism and dramatic illumination. The complex interplay of light and shadow enhances the tragic atmosphere of the moment. Given the enduring historical significance of works by this renowned master, high-resolution reproductions of such key prints are often made available through museum initiatives, sometimes entering the public domain for study and appreciation by a wider audience.