026

  • Christ Preaching, or La Petite tombe

  • ca. 1652
  • Rembrandt Van Rijn (Dutch 1606-1669)
  • Etching and drypoint
  • 15.4 x 20.7 cm., 6-1/8 x 8-1/8" image
  • Catherine Carter Goebel, Paul A. Anderson Chair in the Arts Collection Purchase, Paul A. Anderson Art History Collection, Augustana College 2001.12

Essay by Cristy Martinez, Class of 2008

Rembrandt Van Rijn is generally regarded as the most significant printmaker of all time. He grew up in Holland during the seventeenth century, the era of the Dutch Baroque, which represented a great change from the established Italian Baroque style. The Dutch began to create more secular works of art in response to the taste of the growing middle class, who wanted more comprehensible themes.

Rembrandt was an extremely religious man, reflected in his preference for Biblical themes. Mirroring Mennonite beliefs of his time, the theme of Rembrandt's work often focused on the "poor in spirit" over "the worldly wise and learned" (White 41). His imagery is filled with ordinary people expressing sorrow and joy; characters with whom everyone can relate. Christ in this etching is seen speaking to the poor in a small, yet comfortable area that appears similar to seventeenth-century neighborhoods found in modern Holland, in order to help his audience relate to the idea. The viewer's focus is drawn to Christ since He is the central and brightest figure in the print. Only the faint halo above His head, symbolizing religious light, distinguishes His holy lineage. Christ stands upon a small platform separating Him from the rest of the public. This example of hierarchic scale enables the viewer to understand the importance of the figure, not in a symbolic, but in a more human manner. Visible to the left are a few wealthier men, probably Pharisees, with finer clothing and hats, however, Jesus is focusing his attention on the poor and sick, grouped to the right in the print. Everyone is captivated by what he is saying. People are leaning forward as if straining to make sure they do not miss a single word (Boon, xxxiii). Rembrandt clearly defined the rules of etching. He was able to bring to life such etchings by using chiaroscuro, a sharp contrast between light and shadow, very difficult to achieve with prints. Through the print medium he reached a vast new audience with a quiet but powerful religious message.