Christ crucified between the two thieves: 'The three crosses', ca. 1653 – 1654

Title

Christ crucified between the two thieves: 'The three crosses'

Artist

• Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

Period Produced

• 17th century

Object Type

• art print

Physical Description

Dry-point and etching needle

Material

• paper

Technique

• dry point

Label at the Time of Manufacture

Signiert und datiert auf der Platte: Rembrandt. f. 1653.

Work Catalogues

• Bartsch 78
• White/Boon (Hollstein) 78 IV/V
• Hinterding/Rutgers (New Hollstein) 274 IV/V
• Nowell-Usticke 78 IV/V

Institution

• Städel Museum

Departement

• Department of Prints and Drawings

Collection

• Städelsches Kunstinstitut

Creditline

Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright

Public Domain

Acquisition

Ancient Holdings (Collections J. F. Städel or J. G. Grambs)

Genre

• Biblical portrayal
• historical narration

Main Motif

• crucified man
• crucifixion
• the Passion
• force
• Life of the Virgin
• group of people at Golgotha
• Jesus Christ
• Saint Dismas
• the impenitent thief
• Mary
• Mary Magdalene
• Saint John the Evangelist
• Golgotha
• woman
• man
• group of people
• animal

Persons Shown

• Jesus Christ
• Mary
• John the Evangelist
• Mary Magdalene
• Gestas
• Dismas (saint)

Associated Persons and Institutions

• Giovanni Battista Fontana
• Master B with the Die
• The Maries
• Marys (sisters of the Mother of God)

Illustrated Passage

• Bibel, Neues Testament, Matthäus 27,33-56
• Bibel, Neues Testament, Markus 15,22-41
• Bibel, Neues Testament, Lukas 23,33-43
• Bibel, Neues Testament, Johannes 19,18-30

Primary

• 73D61 comprehensive representations of the events on Golgotha during Christ's hanging on the cross, no particular event emphasized
• 73D625 bystanders at the foot of the cross, among whom Mary, Mary Magdalene and John the Evangelist; Mary may be shown swooning
• 45B the soldier; the soldier's life

Secondary

• 46C13141 horse
• 25H112 rocks
• 34B11 dog
• 22C32 light shining out of the heavens
• 22C9 darkness