Jacob's Ladder

1655

Rembrandt van Rijn

Associated Names
Rembrandt van Rijn

Artist, Dutch, 1606 - 1669

This is a drawing of a group of figures gathered on a staircase. The scene depicts several figures positioned around and above another figure lying down. The use of lines and shading creates depth and shadow, highlighting the central figures. Strong contrasts of light and dark focus the eye on the interactions and expressions within the assembly. The shading and detail suggest expertise in etching technique.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Jacob Kainen

  • Dimensions

    image: 10.6 × 7 cm (4 3/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
    sheet: 11 × 7.2 cm (4 5/16 × 2 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2002.98.55

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    White/Boon 1969, no. 36, State B iii/iii

  • Series Title

    Illustration to Menasseh ben Israel's "Piedra Gloriosa o de

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Jacob Kainen [1909-2001], Washington, D.C. (Lugt 4738); gift to NGA, 2002.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2002

  • An Artist's Artists: Jacob Kainen's Collection from Rembrandt to David Smith, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002-2003.

Bibliography

1969

  • White, Christopher and Karel G. Boon. Rembrandt's Etchings. 2 vols. Amsterdam: Van Gendt & Co., 1969.

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Interactive, 1993: no. 288b, iii/iv.

Inscriptions

in plate, in margin below image at bottom left: Rembrandt f 1655; on verso, top center, in graphite, by a later hand: 31; center, in brown ink, by a later hand: 36 [upside down]; lower center, in brown crayon, by later hand: N 36 [upside down]; lower center, in graphite by a later hand: [illegible graphite notation]; bottom center, below collector's stamp, in graphite by a later hand: RXXX

Wikidata ID

Q76355773

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