Christ Returning from the Temple with his Parents, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1654

Christ Returning from the Temple with his Parents, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1654

etching, h 94mm × w 144mm More details

Mary and Joseph finally find their son after three days and take him home. Rembrandt’s rendering of this rarely depicted moment is masterful. He used a great deal of drypoint in this etching; with the velvety burr, he created powerful contrasts of light and dark, which reinforce the suggestion of a sun-drenched day. You can almost feel why Joseph needs his broad-brimmed hat.