Christ Crucified Between the Two Thieves: 'The Three Crosses'
Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669)
1653-c.1660
Medium
drypoint
Dimensions
37.5 × 44 cm
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Ralph King and Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1959.241
Tags
male
About this artwork
Rembrandt’s Christ Crucified Between the Two Thieves is executed entirely in drypoint. Because of the delicacy of the technique, the copper plate was worn after the artist printed about 40 impressions of the first three states. In order to continue using the plate, Rembrandt reworked it, changing the image somewhat. In this fourth state, slashing strokes obscure the spectators visible in the earlier version, creating a tenebrous setting that focuses attention on Christ bathed in celestial light....