Medea: or the marriage of Jason and Creusa

Medea: or the marriage of Jason and Creusa is a powerful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1648. This work, executed on paper, exemplifies the artist’s mastery of the etching medium, a technique he honed throughout the 1640s, culminating in some of his most technically sophisticated graphic works. The scene captures the dramatic climax of the classical story of Medea, who witnesses the betrayal of her husband Jason as he prepares to marry the princess Creusa.

Rijn uses sharp contrasts of light and shadow, characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age, to heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. The narrative centers on the tragic consequences of Medea's vengeance, focusing on the chaos and panic unfolding within the wedding chamber. While Medea herself is often shown observing the scene, the composition is dense with figures recoiling in horror from the poisoned gifts she has sent to the bride, emphasizing the terrible force of divine retribution.

The complexity of the composition showcases Rijn’s ability to compress a vast, multi-act literary narrative onto a single sheet of paper. The skillful handling of line and tone transforms the flat medium into a deep, atmospheric space. As a significant print from this period, Medea: or the marriage of Jason and Creusa demonstrates Rijn's continuous engagement with both classical mythology and human drama.

This exceptional work is held within the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it stands as an important example of 17th-century Dutch graphic arts. Owing to the historical significance of the piece, the image is widely distributed; high-quality prints and reproductions of this subject are frequently available through various public domain initiatives, allowing broader study and appreciation of Rijn's skill as a master printmaker.