The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate
<p>Rays of heavenly light pierce the darkness that is said to have descended when Jesus died, harshly illuminating his followers as they lower his body from the cross. Rembrandt depicts Jesus’s corpse with unprecedented realism, emphasizing its weight and humanity. Also unconventional was Rembrandt’s choice to lend his features to the figure standing on the ladder. This imposing print was based on a painting Rembrandt executed for the prestigious patron Prince Frederick Henry of Orange—perhaps as a way to celebrate that milestone in his career.</p>
Catalogue
- Year
- 1633
- Dimensions
- Image: 51.2 × 40.5 cm (20 3/16 × 16 in.); Sheet trimmed within platemark: 52 × 40.5 cm (20 1/2 × 16 in.)
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Artist
- Rembrandt van Rijn
Artist
More
More by Rembrandt van Rijn
Joseph's Coat Brought to Jacob
1763 · Etching in black on ivory wove paper
Final Published Work: Head of Menem Ben Israel
1740 · Charcoal, with stumping, heightened with traces of white chalk, on blue laid paper, laid down on cream laid paper
Rembrandt with a Plumed Hat
1700 · Black crayon, with stumping, with pen and black ink, on tan laid paper
Jan Antonides van der Linden
1665 · etching, drypoint and burin
Lucretia
1664 · oil on canvas
Portrait of Gerard de Lairesse
1663 · Oil on canvas
Record
Verified by WattsOS- Artist
- Rembrandt van Rijn
- Year
- 1633
- Dimensions
- Image: 51.2 × 40.5 cm (20 3/16 × 16 in.); Sheet trimmed within platemark: 52 × 40.5 cm (20 1/2 × 16 in.)
- Watts ID
- WW-1633-043171
Source
- Collection
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Source
- aic
- Reference
- View at source
- Status
- verified