The Death of the Virgin

"The Death of the Virgin," executed by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1639, is a monumental work of Dutch printmaking created during the artist's most prolific period. This piece is classified as a print, created using the demanding intaglio techniques of etching and drypoint, showcasing the technical mastery characteristic of the time period from 1601 to 1650. The subtle and rich effects achieved through drypoint, where the burr of metal thrown up by the needle holds ink, result in velvety black lines and soft tonal gradations that distinguish this work from pure etchings.

The subject portrays the final hours of the Virgin Mary, who lies on a high, draped bed, surrounded by a complex multitude of grieving apostles, disciples, and attendant figures. Rather than focusing on the theological transcendence of the Assumption, Rijn emphasizes the human drama and solemnity of the event. A dramatic beam of light, typical of the Dutch Baroque aesthetic, illuminates the central figure and the surrounding details, contrasting sharply with the deep shadows that envelop the room and the mourners gathered around the deathbed. The composition is highly complex, utilizing space and implied movement to draw the viewer’s eye toward the luminous, dying Virgin.

This highly influential depiction of the Dormition is preserved in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The accessibility inherent in printmaking allowed Rijn to distribute complex religious imagery widely across the Netherlands. This specific print serves as crucial evidence of Rijn's innovative approach to narrative art, where psychological intensity is often prioritized over idealized forms. Today, this work remains a cornerstone in the study of 17th-century European art, and high-resolution reproductions are frequently available to scholars and the general public through collections contributing to the public domain.