The Three Crosses
Fine art etching by Rembrandt c. 1600's Rembrandt van Rijn's famous etching and drypoint print titled
Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses. The specific image you shared is of the fourth state of the print, which was dramatically reworked by the artist around 1660-61.
Artwork Details
Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)
Title: Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses
Date: 1653 (first three states) and circa 1660-61 (fourth state)
Medium: Drypoint and etching, often printed on vellum or various papers
The Fourth State
Rembrandt created five different states (versions) of this print, making substantial changes to the copper plate over time. The fourth state, which your image depicts, is the most dramatic and differs significantly from the earlier versions:
Composition: Large portions of the original composition were scraped away and redrawn.
Atmosphere: The scene is much darker and more chaotic, with intense, slashing drypoint lines creating deep shadows that cast doubt on the redemption narrative seen in earlier states.
Focus: The changes shift the focus from the centurion's conversion (who now appears mounted on a horse instead of kneeling) to the intense suffering of Christ in his final moments, as if crying, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?".
Figures: New figures were added, including two mounted soldiers to the left of the cross, and the group on the right, including St. John and Mary, was redrawn or obscured by shadow.
Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses. The specific image you shared is of the fourth state of the print, which was dramatically reworked by the artist around 1660-61.
Artwork Details
Artist: Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)
Title: Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses
Date: 1653 (first three states) and circa 1660-61 (fourth state)
Medium: Drypoint and etching, often printed on vellum or various papers
The Fourth State
Rembrandt created five different states (versions) of this print, making substantial changes to the copper plate over time. The fourth state, which your image depicts, is the most dramatic and differs significantly from the earlier versions:
Composition: Large portions of the original composition were scraped away and redrawn.
Atmosphere: The scene is much darker and more chaotic, with intense, slashing drypoint lines creating deep shadows that cast doubt on the redemption narrative seen in earlier states.
Focus: The changes shift the focus from the centurion's conversion (who now appears mounted on a horse instead of kneeling) to the intense suffering of Christ in his final moments, as if crying, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?".
Figures: New figures were added, including two mounted soldiers to the left of the cross, and the group on the right, including St. John and Mary, was redrawn or obscured by shadow.
After
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