The Leper ("Lazarus Klep")

The Leper ("Lazarus Klep") is a powerful early etching by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, created sometime between 1624 and 1634. This print, executed on delicate ivory laid paper, showcases the young master's rapidly developing skill in the etching medium. The identification of the figure as "Lazarus Klep" links the subject to the biblical tale of Lazarus and the rich man, though the image also resonates with the harsh social realities of the Netherlands during the Golden Age, where illness and poverty were visible public concerns.

Rembrandt's skillful handling of the etching needle and acid allows him to capture profound human emotion in miniature. In this piece, the Leper is depicted with a pathos characteristic of the artist's early work, which frequently focused on marginalized figures or tronies—studies of human character and expression. The intensity of the shadow play, achieved through careful cross-hatching and varying depths of line, draws the viewer's attention directly to the figure’s isolation and quiet suffering. This dedication to psychological portraiture defined the Baroque period in the Netherlands and set the stage for Rembrandt’s renowned later, larger-scale works.

Classified as a significant early print in the artist's extensive graphic output, The Leper ("Lazarus Klep") is an essential study of both poverty and spirituality. The original physical dimensions of the etching reinforce the intimate, personal nature of the study. This historically important image is preserved in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars and enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity to examine the technical development of one of history’s greatest printmakers. As the work is centuries old, high-quality prints derived from this original plate often enter the public domain, ensuring widespread appreciation.