The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate - Rembrandt van Rijn

Art Institute of Chicago, public domain

"The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate" by Rembrandt van Rijn (1633) Etching and burin on ivory laid paper.

Commentary

"The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate" by Rembrandt van Rijn (1633) invites a close look at how form and feeling work together. The print-based method rewards close viewing, where line, texture, and contrast do most of th e expressive work. Themes to notice include etching. This piece is held in Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings collection. Rembrandt van Rijn is the artist behind this work. A useful anchor for reading the piece: Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669. The work is cataloged within a Holland cultural context. How to look at this work: It is cataloged as etching, which gives a clue to how the museum frames the object. Its medium (Etching and burin on ivory laid paper) affects texture, durability, and how detail reads at different distances. Its listed 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.)) suggest how intimate or monumental it may feel in person. Subject cues from the catalog include etching. Compare this reading with the museum record at Art Institute of Chicago: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/29116

Sources: Art Institute of Chicago; Art Institute of Chicago / Public Records; Art Institute of Chicago Collection Data