The Entombment

The Entombment is a powerful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1654. This masterful rendering of the Biblical narrative showcases the artist's mature expertise in etching and drypoint, techniques Rijn often utilized to explore narrative complexity and emotional depth. This particular impression was printed on Japanese paper, a highly valued, imported handmade paper. Its smooth surface and absorbent quality allowed Rijn to achieve exceptional detail and rich tonal variations in the dense hatching and deeply textured lines characteristic of his later graphic works.

The subject depicts the solemn scene immediately following the Crucifixion, capturing the moment Christ's body is carefully lowered or prepared for burial, surrounded by the distraught figures of the Virgin Mary, the apostles, and other mourners. Rijn employs characteristic dramatic shadow and stark contrast, known as tenebrism, to focus the viewer's attention on the central act. The figures, illuminated by an unseen light source, are rendered with intense psychological realism, transforming a traditional religious subject into a deeply human drama of grief and reverence.

This print exemplifies the mastery of the Dutch Golden Age printmaking tradition. As a key reference for studying Rijn’s prolific graphic output, this piece is held in the renowned collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Given its age and cultural significance, this celebrated work is often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that high-resolution prints and academic studies of Rijn’s unparalleled technical skill remain accessible for scholars and art enthusiasts worldwide.