St. Peter and St John Healing the Paralytic

"St. Peter and St John Healing the Paralytic" is an expressive drawing by the celebrated Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, produced during the flourishing period of the Dutch Golden Age (1606-1669). This work captures a pivotal moment from the Acts of the Apostles, focusing on the dramatic encounter between the apostles and a figure seeking aid. The piece is rendered with exceptional skill, utilizing pen and brown ink combined with brush and brown wash, allowing the artist to define forms through both sharp linearity and modulated tonal areas.

The technique highlights Rembrandt’s mastery of quick, suggestive strokes, defining the figures of the men and establishing a clear sense of movement and psychological intensity. The brown wash, applied with a brush, serves to deepen shadows and emphasize the dramatic interaction, giving volume to the figures of Saint Peter and Saint John as they minister to the suffering paralytic. The inclusion of framing lines in pen and brown ink suggests the importance the artist placed on the composition of this scene, even in the medium of drawing.

This classification of work exemplifies Rembrandt's frequent exploration of biblical narratives and the lives of the early Christian Saints. His detailed yet economical approach to drawing provided essential practice for his larger canvases and etchings. The work captures the inherent compassion and authority of the Saints, central figures in Christian art. This significant piece of 17th-century draughtsmanship, which provides valuable insight into the artist’s working methods, is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints of key drawings like St. Peter and St John Healing the Paralytic are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread study of this Baroque master.