Rembrandt and Printmaking

During his lifetime, Rembrandt was famous for his prints as well as his paintings. He used techniques such as drypoint and etching to create expressive prints. In drypoint, he used a sharp needle to draw directly into a metal plate, creating a burr that catches ink during printing. In etching, a copper plate is covered with an acid-resistant coating, then drawn on with an etching needle before being immersed in an acid bath to create grooves. Rembrandt used selective wiping to create dramatic effects in his prints. The plate is then covered with ink, wiped clean, and pressed onto damp paper to create the final print. Rembrandt's "Hundred Gilder Print" is a masterpiece, with almost 100 unique versions created through varying ink wiping techniques.

Creators or contributors featured

• Rembrandt