The Hundred Guilder Print, central section

The Hundred Guilder Print, central section by Rembrandt van Rijn (1644-1654) stands as a technical and narrative high point of 17th-century European printmaking. Created during the peak of the Dutch Golden Age in the Netherlands, this massive religious composition uniquely combines etching, drypoint, and engraving techniques, demonstrating the artist’s full command of the graphic medium. The work earned its famous name due to the exceptional price (reportedly 100 guilders) an impression commanded in Rijn's lifetime, underscoring its immediate recognition as a masterpiece.

The central section of the print focuses sharply on the figure of Christ preaching and ministering to the sick and the marginalized. Rijn masterfully employs dramatic contrast, using deep tones created by the drypoint burr to push the figures into shadow, while concentrating brilliant light on the central group. This compositional strategy highlights the profound human emotion and spiritual intensity of the scene. The variety of expressions and postures among the crowd—ranging from the skeptical, wealthy Pharisees on the left to the impoverished and suffering figures on the right—showcases Rijn’s unparalleled ability to portray psychological depth in his narratives.

This renowned work illustrates the technical complexities Rijn pursued in his later prints. The artist's subtle blending of various incising methods allowed him to achieve a rich tonal range previously unseen in etchings. This impression of the original The Hundred Guilder Print is preserved within the distinguished graphic arts collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, serving as a critical example of the enduring legacy of Rijn's contribution to art history. Prints derived from the masterwork remain crucial objects of study, offering profound insight into Baroque religious art.