The Hundred Guilder Print

The Hundred Guilder Print by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, stands as one of the most celebrated and technically complex works in the history of European prints. Executed primarily in the decade between 1643 and 1653, this ambitious composition earned its popular nickname from the legend that an early, pristine impression sold for the exorbitant price of a hundred guilders. The Dutch master used the demanding intaglio processes of etching and drypoint to achieve remarkable tonal depth and atmospheric quality, particularly evident in this impression rendered on delicate tan Japanese paper. This unusual choice of support emphasizes the velvety blacks and nuanced shadows achieved through the drypoint burr, showcasing Rembrandt's complete command of the medium.

The monumental work depicts Christ preaching and healing the sick, synthesizing multiple parables from the Gospel of Matthew 19. Rembrandt, an artist famed throughout the Netherlands for his innovative approach to religious iconography, masterfully orchestrates a crowded scene where the wealthy, the poor, the healthy, and the infirm all gather. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow, characteristic of 17th-century Dutch art, focuses attention on the central figure of Christ while carefully contrasting the skepticism of the Pharisees on the left with the devoted masses and children waiting to be blessed on the right.

The extraordinary detail and range of tone demonstrated in this piece confirm Rembrandt’s position as the foremost printmaker of his era. This specific impression of The Hundred Guilder Print belongs to the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a prime example of the artist's dedication to printmaking as an independent art form. Given the age and importance of the work, many high-quality reproductions and digital assets of this iconic image are available in the public domain for research and study.