The Adoration of the Shepherds: Night Scene

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn - The Adoration of the Shepherds: Night Scene
Light and shadow are central to this print as well, both in the artistic sense and its symbolic meaning. Chiaroscuro plays a major part in imbuing this Nativity scene with a profound, awe-inspiring atmosphere. Rembrandt approached the challenge of chiaroscuro in various modifications, and printed only the fifth version of the composition in a larger number of impressions. However, this complex process rapidly wore out the fragile burr of the drypoint, which is why the artist had to amend some areas.
date:
measurements: height 154 mm
width 198 mm
in collections:
material: paper
technique: etching - drypoint - engraving (State VIII)
inscription:
inventory number: R 143745
gallery collection: Collection of Prints and Drawings