The Three Trees

The Three Trees by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, created in 1643, is a seminal work in the history of printmaking and one of the artist's most celebrated landscapes. Executed using the challenging combination of etching and drypoint on ivory laid paper, this piece exemplifies Rembrandt’s mastery of tone and texture achievable through the intaglio process. He utilized drypoint particularly effectively to create deep, burred shadows in the immediate foreground, juxtaposing them with the fine, deliberate lines of the etched middle ground and sky.

This dramatic rendering depicts a powerful storm rolling across a typical Dutch scene, though it is imbued with the theatrical light and shadow characteristic of the Baroque era. The monumental, title elements-three imposing trees silhouetted against a darkening sky-dominate the composition, serving as a psychological focal point against the broader, flat panorama of the Netherlands stretching beneath. Unlike many contemporaries who favored idealized Italian vistas, Rembrandt elevated the local, vernacular countryside, often using shifting atmosphere and dramatic weather effects to convey emotional and psychological depth.

The meticulous variation in line weights and heavy inking throughout the plate ensures that the scene remains dynamic, transitioning sharply from the dark foreground where the trees stand to the distant, luminous horizon line. This celebrated print is globally recognized for its technical brilliance and narrative power. As one of the most famous works in the medium, its image is frequently reproduced, often available through public domain collections worldwide. This specific impression of The Three Trees is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.