The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee

The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is a profound spiritual study created by Rembrandt van Rijn between 1645 and 1655, a period marking the height of the Dutch Golden Age. This extraordinary drawing captures the essence of the New Testament story (Luke 18:10-14), illustrating the stark contrast between false piety and genuine humility.

As a masterwork of draftsmanship, the piece utilizes complex mixed media: reed pen and brown ink, enhanced by brown wash, and finally heightened with opaque white on laid paper. This combination demonstrates the artist’s unparalleled skill in creating dramatic contrasts using minimal resources. The delicate yet vigorous pen lines rapidly sketch the figures and the architectural setting, while the subtle brown wash provides depth and volumetric shadow. The heightening with white is strategically placed to capture illumination, focusing the viewer’s eye on the emotional states of the two central characters.

The scene depicts the self-righteous Pharisee standing confidently, praising himself and looking down upon others, contrasting sharply with the humble Publican, who stands apart, beating his breast in genuine repentance. Rijn employs spontaneous and expressive strokes characteristic of his late period, giving the drawing an immediate energy that captures psychological intensity.

Created within the cultural flourishing of the Dutch period (1601 to 1650), this type of religious narrative drawing was integral to Rijn’s practice, often serving both as compositional studies and as completed works in their own right. The work, which is laid down onto its current support, remains an essential resource for studying Rijn's evolving technique. Today, high-quality prints and reproductions help disseminate the mastery of this draftsmanship. This rare and significant drawing is part of the extensive collection held by the National Gallery of Art.