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Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses

1653
Not on view
The Three Crosses, one of Rembrandt's finest works in any medium, represents the culmination of his virtuosity as a printmaker. He drew on the copperplate entirely in drypoint which allowed him to fully exploit the velvety areas of burr raised by the drypoint tool as it cut into the copper. When Rembrandt created this impression, he deliberately left ink on the printing plate; it lightly veils the figures standing at the foot of the cross on the right; a thicker layer almost completely covers the bushes along the right edge. By creatively inking the copperplate, Rembrandt in a certain sense painted each impression. Each time he printed the copperplate he created a unique work. He further varied impressions by printing them on different supports; this impression is printed on vellum, which infuses the composition with a warm light. Vellum, less absorbent than paper, holds ink on the surface, softening lines and enhancing the richness of entire effect.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses
  • Artist: Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) (Dutch, Leiden 1606–1669 Amsterdam)
  • Date: 1653
  • Medium: Drypoint printed on vellum
  • Dimensions: Plate: 15 x 17 1/4 in. (38.1 x 43.8 cm)
    Sheet: 15 1/8 x 17 7/16 in. (38.4 x 44.3 cm)
    Mount: 22 x 28 in. (55.9 x 71.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Felix M. Warburg and his family, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.1.31
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Drypoint
Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
ca. 1660
Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Drypoint
Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
1653
Abraham Casting out Hagar and Ishmael, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Etching with touches of drypoint
Abraham Casting out Hagar and Ishmael
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
1637
St. Jerome Reading, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Etching
St. Jerome Reading
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
1634
Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Etching, pen and ink
Return of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
1620–69

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