The adoration of the shepherds: with the lamp c. 1654

Editor: This etching, "The Adoration of the Shepherds: with the Lamp," was created by Rembrandt van Rijn around 1654 and resides at the Rijksmuseum. I’m immediately struck by the way the light seems to emanate from the baby Jesus, yet everything is rendered in such gritty detail. What draws your attention when you look at this print? Curator: I see an image born of a very specific labor: the biting of acid into a metal plate. We often think of Rembrandt as a master painter, but his prints reveal an engagement with mass production. These weren't unique, precious objects, but images intended for circulation, and therefore, consumption. Note how the deep, expressive lines aren’t just about light and shadow, they signify the artist's *actions* on the copper plate. What story does the materiality tell *you*? Editor: I guess I hadn't considered it in that light, more as a study. The roughness almost seems to bring a humbleness to the scene itself, which reinforces the narrative. Does the medium influence the message, perhaps suggesting the accessibility of faith to the working class? Curator: Precisely! Etching democratized image-making, and here Rembrandt uses it to depict the birth of Christ amongst humble surroundings. Consider also the social implications of printmaking in the 17th century: it allowed for a wider dissemination of religious narratives, impacting how individuals understood and related to their faith, outside the direct control of the Church. What do you think the presence of farm implements signifies, arrayed almost like an offering? Editor: That the scene isn't just religious, but quotidian... related to labor. It feels very intentional to ground this sacred event. I had approached this from a purely art historical standpoint, but now I see the crucial link between the image and the conditions of its production and consumption. Thank you! Curator: And thank you!