The Hundred Guilder Print (detail) c. 17th century

Curator: Look at this density of line! Rembrandt’s “The Hundred Guilder Print,” as it’s affectionately known, is showcased here in a detail from the etching, which is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: Intricate! Almost dizzying. There's so much hatching and cross-hatching; it's like a woven tapestry of light and shadow. Curator: Exactly! Rembrandt achieves a painterly effect with such humble means, etching and drypoint on a metal plate. The price of the print was supposedly quite high in its day, hence the title, which I find amusing. Editor: Its material presence is remarkable. Copper was quite scarce, implying patronage and Rembrandt's canny negotiation of the art market. Its small size belies its impact. Curator: It’s more than impressive. To me, the image seems to glow from within. Rembrandt's use of light isn't just technical; it’s spiritual. Editor: It is that contrast that brings focus to the figures themselves. Curator: Yes, and it is those details of making that bring such complexity to this piece, which continues to move me. Editor: Indeed, thinking about the labor, the scarcity of materials, offers a completely new perspective.