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Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: The Three Crosses

ca. 1660
Not on view
In the fourth state of this print, Rembrandt completely transformed the plate by scraping away large portions of the original composition (see also the second state, 41.1.31), some of which are still visible underneath the hatching. He covered the sky with strong parallel lines that veil the remaining figures on both sides, and he redrew Christ's face to show his mouth open and his eyes half-closed. These changes actually alter the subject of the print: instead of showing the centurion's conversion after Christ's death, the image now focuses on the figure of Christ in the final moments of life, as he cries, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

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: ca. 1660
  • Medium: Drypoint
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 15 1/16 x 17 1/2 in. (38.2 x 44.4 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Felix M. Warburg and his family, 1941
  • Object Number: 41.1.33
  • 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 printed on vellum
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
St. Jerome in Prayer, Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) Dutch, Etching
St. Jerome in Prayer
Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn)
1635

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