The Entombment

The Entombment is a powerful print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1654. Classified as a masterful example of a print on paper, this work depicts the solemn moment following the Crucifixion, where the body of Christ is prepared for burial. The scene captures the despair and concentrated grief of the remaining followers, traditionally including the Virgin Mary and figures like Joseph of Arimathea, as they carry their burden into the shadows of the sepulcher.

Created late in the artist’s career, the composition demonstrates Rijn's increasing mastery of chiaroscuro in the etching and drypoint medium. Rijn uses deep, rich blacks and strategically placed areas of brilliant light to heighten the drama and emotional intensity. The expert handling of the shadows emphasizes the claustrophobic darkness of the tomb, allowing only the central figures and the body of Christ to emerge from the gloom. This precise control over light and line defines the emotional weight of this crucial Biblical narrative, reflecting the artist’s mature concern for the psychological complexity of faith and personal grief.

The impression of this poignant scene is preserved in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it serves as a significant example of 17th-century Dutch graphic arts. Rijn’s exceptional skill in creating texture and depth solely through line makes his The Entombment a revered artwork. Because of its age and cultural importance, high-resolution reproductions of these influential prints are frequently available through public domain resources, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study the subtle techniques employed by the master printmaker.