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The Collections | Works on Paper | Highlights
(1606-1669)
The Death of the Virgin
Dutch, 1639
Etching and drypoint
An angel is announcing to the Virgin Mary that her death is approaching and the apostles are miraculously transported to her deathbed. Rembrandt portrays Mary as an old woman and introduces the figure of a doctor at her side. Departing from the original story by assembling a large cast of characters, Rembrandt has established three groups: those who mourn, those who allude to the sanctity of the event, such as the priest on the left, and those from the heavenly realm, such as the angel in the clouds. Rembrandt produced about 290 etchings altogether and these were enthusiastically collected during his lifetime.
Purchased 1939 (No. 39.11)