The Three Crosses, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1653
drypoint, printed on Japanese paper, h 375mm × w 450mm More details
Scratching directly in an etching plate creates a ragged, raised ridge of metal shavings known as burr. This gives drypoint lines such a velvety look. However, burr wears down quickly, diminishing its decorative effect. Here Rembrandt radically solved that problem by creating an entirely new version over the old one. The subject remained the same, but the atmosphere is much more ominous.
