The Rest on the Flight into Egypt; lightly etched 1645

Rembrandt van Rijn created this lightly etched print, ‘The Rest on the Flight into Egypt,’ using a metal plate, acid, and printing press. In this intaglio process, the artist protects the plate with a coating, then scratches an image into it with a needle. When acid is applied, it bites into the exposed metal, incising the lines. The plate is inked, and then wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched furrows. It’s then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The resulting print is delicate, almost ghostly. You can see how the etched lines define the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, resting during their escape to Egypt. Look closely and you'll notice how the varying density of lines creates shading and depth. This printmaking technique allowed Rembrandt to reproduce his compositions, making them accessible to a wider audience, and participate in a burgeoning art market. The materiality and process are key to understanding not only its aesthetic qualities but also its place in a changing social and economic landscape.