Title: Christ Crucified between Two Thieves: An Oval Plate 
Artist: _ Rembrandt
Category: Old Master
Medium: Etching
Framed: Yes
Height: 5 5/16"
Width: 4"

c. 1641 A fine impression of Bartsch’s second and final state; Usticke’s second state of three, after the addition of further shading beneath the scroll on the cross above Christ’s head. Circa 1760 with the additional fine retouching of the shadows creating the second state possibly added by Charles Henri Watelet.

Rembrandt is depicting the conversation between Christ and the two murders. One of them, the ‘bad murderer,’ mocked Christ, while the other, the ‘good murderer,’ confessed his guilt to Christ, and was forgiven by him (Luke 23:39-43). The women sit at the foot of the cross with their backs to it. The lance with this vinegary sponge is silhouetted against the left cross. Christ is illuminated by the heavenly light that also fall s upon the good murderer.

The rich graduation of blacks, achieved through a combination of drypoint and etching, gives the figures an unexpected volume.