Artwork
The Descent from the Cross by Torchlight
The Descent from the Cross by Torchlight is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Descent from the Cross by Torchlight, a 1654 etching by Rembrandt van Rijn, depicts a somber, nighttime scene of figures removing a body from a cross, emphasizing emotional intensity through dramatic lighting.
Subject & Meaning
The etching illustrates a moment of poignant reverence, as a group of robed figures, their faces obscured by shadow, carefully handle the body, conveying a sense of solemnity and shared burden.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employed strong chiaroscuro, juxtaposing deep shadows with focused light sources, to heighten the emotional urgency and guide the viewer's attention through the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1654, the work is now part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
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