Rembrandt's Etchings

The Rijksmuseum collection holds around 1300 prints by the artist, including multiple impressions of the same print and multiple states of single etchings. The subjects of his etchings range from biblical and mythological scenes to landscapes, portraits, self-portraits and everyday scenes. These works enable us accurately to trace the development of Rembrandt’s technique, style and artistic approach. His loose drawing style and use of intense light-dark contrast are unique. Unusually for his time, Rembrandt chose to capture moments of high emotional impact. This lent his work a sense of humanity and familiarity that made Rembrandt hugely influential on artists in his own lifetime and long afterwards.