Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn (1606-1669), 'Christ Preaching (La Petite Tombe),' c.1652, drypoint and engraving on paper, 6 1/8 x 8 1/4 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art,gift of Ronald and Eileen Ragsdale.
Rembrandt Van Rijn, born in 1606, remains one of the most significant artists of the Dutch Golden Age, celebrated for his depictions of the emotional and spiritual states of the human soul. This print shows an informal congregation; a modest collection of ordinary people representing all walks of life. Christ addresses a woman holding an infant, while a slightly older child plays with the dirt on the ground. Although we cannot see the woman’s face, we understand her complete engagement in the words of Christ, despite the distractions around her. As the Savior lifts His hands in a gesture of blessing, other faces within the circle respond with wonder, awe, and deep contemplation.
Guest author: Catherine Howard
