Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch, 1606-1669
The Three Crosses, c. 1653
drypoint and engraving on vellum (state i/v)
National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of R. Horace Gallatin 1949.1.50

View state: i/v | iii/v | iv/v

The first two states of this plate evolve with subtle revisions. This impression of the first state is printed on vellum, a support that repels ink rather than absorbs it, causing the lines to blur into an indistinct fog that amplifies the penumbral gloom enveloping the scene.