Ecce Homo. Christ Presented to the People

1655

Rembrandt van Rijn

(Dutch, 1606–1669)

Culture

Netherlands

Medium

drypoint

Support

'Dutch' laid paper; no watermark

Measurements

Sheet: 36.1 x 45.6 cm (14 3/16 x 17 15/16 in.); Platemark: 35.9 x 45.6 cm (14 1/8 x 17 15/16 in.)

Credit Line

Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2006.155

Catalogue raisonné

White and Boon (Hollstein) 76, state V/VIII; B 76; Hind 271

State

state V/VIII

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Location

Not on view

Description

Rembrandt was an experimental and innovative printmaker and the first to execute works in pure drypoint on this monumental scale. Drypoint produces blurred lines and rich, velvety shadows, but these effects are lost as the plate wears. A limited number of rich impressions exist like this fine example of the fifth state, which demonstrates how Rembrandt redefined the expressive potential of printmaking. Rembrandt’s habit of drawing from life made him a keen observer of behavior and body language, endowing his biblical scenes with a human dimension and veracity not seen previously. The throng in Christ Presented to the People represents a cross section of the population and reflects the pictorial tradition that common humanity condemned Christ. Large areas of the imposing building, symbolizing the crushing weight and authority of the state, remain unworked so that blank white paper seems radiant in contrast to rich black shadows.