The Entombment

The Entombment by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, represents one of the artist's most psychologically intense religious prints created during his mature period. This rare and significant impression was executed using a complex mix of intaglio methods-etching, drypoint, and burin-applied to the unusual and demanding surface of vellum. Printing on vellum, a prepared calfskin, allowed Rembrandt to achieve exceptionally rich, velvety blacks and highly differentiated tonal contrasts, setting this specific impression apart from those printed on conventional paper.

Created sometime between 1649 and 1659, the work depicts the deposition of Christ into the grave following the Crucifixion. The composition is defined by dramatic chiaroscuro, a hallmark of the Dutch Golden Age master. Rembrandt uses the intricate lines of the drypoint technique to craft a powerful sense of darkness surrounding the central event, highlighting the slumped body of Christ and the deep sorrow of the figures accompanying the burial. This focused illumination concentrates the emotional weight of the narrative, characteristic of the profound religious subjects frequently explored in the Netherlands during the mid-seventeenth century.

As a highly sought-after printmaker, Rembrandt’s technical innovation is evident in the layered textures and expressive lines of this piece. The classification of print, utilizing multiple techniques, underscores the artist’s masterful control over the graphic medium. While many high-quality prints by the Dutch master are now available through public domain initiatives, original impressions like this etching provide invaluable insight into the subtle variations and technical choices made during the printing process. This masterful impression of The Entombment is proudly held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.