The Entombment

The Entombment by Rembrandt van Rijn, executed in 1654, is a profound example of the artist’s mastery of graphic arts during the Dutch Golden Age. Classified as a print on paper, this work captures a moment of deep sorrow and spiritual contemplation following the Crucifixion, focusing on the movement of Christ's body into the sepulcher.

Rijn utilizes the print medium-specific techniques, likely a combination of etching and drypoint, to generate dramatic contrasts between light and shadow. The effective use of chiaroscuro highlights the central cluster of figures tending to the deceased while plunging the background into almost total darkness. This strong visual contrast emphasizes the emotional weight of the scene, a defining characteristic of Rijn’s later religious works, which often prioritized psychological intensity over meticulous detail.

This print serves as a critical document of mid-17th-century European religious art. Rijn was one of the foremost Dutch artists consistently returning to biblical narratives, influencing generations of printmakers. This significant artwork is preserved in the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it stands as a testament to the artist's technical brilliance. As this artwork is now within the public domain, high-quality prints and references are widely accessible, enabling scholars and the public alike to study Rijn's powerful narrative technique.