Rembrandt shows the moment of Christ's death on the cross at Golgotha (Luke 23:33-49). A brilliant light cleaves the darkness (Luke 23: 44-45). The whole scene has been drawn directly in the plate with drypoint and burin. Rembrandt's mastery is evident from the swift, sure lines he uses to set down the figures in this difficult medium. This impression of the first state has been printed on costly vellum.
Acquisition
A. Firmin-Didot, Paris, d. 876, sale 1877 (L 119). P. Mathey, Paris, sale 1924 (L suppl 2100b). Acquired with funds from the legacy of Prof. H.P.G. Quack.
