The presentation in the temple: oblong print by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts the scriptural moment of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, a highly significant subject throughout the artist's career. Although Rijn originally created the etching plates for variations of this scene during the mid-seventeenth century, this particular impression, executed on paper and classified as a fine art print, dates significantly later, between 1850 and 1906. This considerable time gap between the artist’s lifetime and the production date indicates the enduring value and continued use of the original copper plates, which were frequently reworked and reprinted long after his death.
The work is characterized by Rijn’s mastery of compositional space, employing a distinctly oblong format that directs the eye through the crowded temple interior to the central, sacred encounter. The composition highlights the dramatic use of light and shadow typical of the Dutch Golden Age, focusing attention on the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Christ, meeting the prophet Simeon. This late impression of the subject is part of the distinguished graphic arts collection held by the Rijksmuseum. The subsequent history of these master prints is important for scholarship; many seminal works by Rijn are now recognized as being in the public domain, ensuring widespread dissemination and study of his artistic genius in various media, including this notable example on paper.