Rembrandt van Rijn 19th Century Restrike Etching "The Descent from the Cross"

Item Details

An early-19th century restrike etching with areas of engraving on wove ivory paper from the original plates by extremely well-listed and prolific Dutch artist Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606-1669), titled The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate. This piece was printed from the fifth and final state of this plate. This particular image is very unique among Van Rijn’s other intaglio prints due to both its size and the fact that it is based on imagery from an earlier painting by the artist himself rather than depicting original material. Rembrandt’s original oil was inspired by an altarpiece depicting the same image by Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. The image depicts a stunning vision of Jesus Christ’s dead body being removed from his wooden cross as a beam of light from heaven illuminates his pale form. While Rembrandt likely had a hand in the making of this particular plate, he also enlisted the help of Dutch engraver Jan van Vliet, creating an image that uniquely blends van Vliet’s heavy-handedness and Rembrandt’s whispy linework. The artist’s name, the date, Lamoureux’s Parisian address, and an additional line of indecipherable information are printed in-plate along the lower margin. This remarkable piece has recently been professionally deacidified and acid-free matted in cream and is presented behind UV Protection glass in a wooden frame with speckled silver tone finish. A wire is attached to the piece’s verso for hanging.

Condition

- light discoloration and foxing across, consistent with age. Light wear across frame. Print has recently been professionally matted and framed.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN043-411