Christ with the sick around him, receiving little children (the "Hundred Guilder Print") 1648

This print, Christ with the sick around him, receiving little children, was made by Rembrandt van Rijn, probably in the late 1640s. To create it, he used etching and drypoint, both printmaking techniques. The stark contrast between light and shadow is striking. Rembrandt created this by carefully manipulating the density of lines on the copper plate. Acid was used to bite some lines deeper, allowing them to hold more ink and create darker areas. Then with a sharp needle he scratched lines directly into the plate, resulting in soft, velvety blacks. Look closely, and you can see the burr left by the drypoint needle, catching the light. Printmaking allowed Rembrandt to disseminate his work widely, engaging with issues of faith, poverty, and social justice in ways accessible to a broad audience. The value of these prints depended on the quality of the impression and the paper used. The “Hundred Guilder Print” acquired its name from its high price, reflecting the labor and skill involved in its production. It reminds us that even ostensibly reproducible media like prints, involve intensive craftsmanship.