The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate 1633

Editor: We are looking at Rembrandt van Rijn's "The Descent from the Cross: Second Plate" at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast creates an emotionally charged scene. What symbols or historical context do you see reflected here? Curator: Note how the descending body, illuminated, becomes a symbol of sacrifice but also vulnerability. Consider, too, the ladder—a recurring motif for spiritual ascent and descent. Doesn't it remind you of Jacob's Ladder, linking heaven and earth? Editor: That's a great connection! It deepens the piece's emotional and religious impact. Curator: Exactly! These visual echoes reinforce the artwork’s layered meaning, linking individual suffering to collective memory.