Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Descent from the Cross (second plate)

Johannes van Vliet; After Rembrandt van Rijn

Date

1633

Medium

Etching and engraving

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Following the example of Peter Paul Rubens, who worked with a stable of printmakers to win fame and riches, Rembrandt collaborated with Leiden etcher Johannes van Vliet, who reproduced Rembrandt's paintings in prints. This large, ambitious composition was based on a painting Rembrandt made for Frederick Hendrik, the Prince of Orange, who, as stadholder was the highest-ranking elected official in the country. It directly challenged Rubens by showing the removal of Christ from the cross as a dismal, physical event rather than a glorious baroque cascade. Even in such a serious production, Rembrandt's idiosyncratic humor comes through, for he assigned himself a cameo role, clutching Christ's arm and glaring outward. Van Vliet executed much of the etching; Rembrandt possibly added some finishing touches. Netherlands, Europe

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