The Image Seen by Nebuchadnezzar

"The Image Seen by Nebuchadnezzar" is an influential print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1655, a significant work from the artist’s mature period. The piece masterfully combines etching, burin work, and drypoint techniques, resulting in deep, varied textures and rich, painterly blacks. This specific impression is cataloged as the third of five known states, allowing scholars to trace the subtle adjustments Rembrandt made as he developed the plate. As a profound example of graphic arts, the work interprets the dramatic prophetic vision described in the Book of Daniel (Chapter 2), concerning the meaning of earthly empires.

The subject focuses intensely on the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who is tormented by the vision of a monumental, hybrid statue. The composition is tightly focused, depicting the king surrounded by several advisory men and courtiers attempting to interpret the terrifying dream. Rembrandt utilizes heavy hatching and selective manipulation of the drypoint needle to generate intense contrast between light and shadow, a technique that heightens the emotional weight of the scene. This dramatic lighting emphasizes the spiritual and psychological burden of the prophecy facing the men gathered. This powerful and technically sophisticated print currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a key reference for students studying Rembrandt’s prolific output of biblical prints. The detailed execution confirms why works by Rembrandt are highly valued, often entering the public domain after generations to allow wider study of his technique.