 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
Rembrandt's famous etching, nicknamed "The Hundred-Guilder Print" for the unprecedented price it fetched, distills four key episodes from Christ's ministry related in Matthew 19. Bathed in light, the rediant center of the image, Christ's serene figure dominates the scene. On the right a rabble of the sick and crippled await His healing gift (Matthew 19:2). On the left a group of strictly observant and sceptical Jews, the Pharisees, try to embroil Him in a nit-picking debate on divorce (Matthew 19:3-12), while Christ rebukes the bald and bearded Peter, who tries to shoo away some women and children (Matthew 19:13-15). The gorgeously attired man to Peter's left recalls the wealthy youth Christ challenged to give up his riches and follow Him (19;16-24). This example of Rembrandt's superlative technique is the lighter, first "strike" of the etching; Rembrandt produced a much darker second strike of the piece, which he probably worked on steadily during the 1640s. |