How Rembrandt Made His Etchings | Christie's

Alexander Massouras demonstrates how the techniques behind some of history’s greatest prints remain unchanged — almost 400 years on.

Renowned for his work in the medium, Rembrandt came to be recognised as one of the most accomplished printmakers of all time, producing works in intricate detail. ‘The lines follow the contours of what he depicts,’ comments Massouras, citing the individually-rendered hairs on a work such as Old Bearded Man Looking Down. ‘That detail is facilitated by etching.’

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[spactick]

Rembrandt's etchings are to me among the most powerful art ever created. Leonardo's drawing are right there with it

[BooliusGoozlur]

I have always wanted to know how this was done. Thank you.

[radharcanna]

Very interesting. Can you do a drawing first on paper and then transfer it to the plate or do you have to create the drawing directly on the wax surface?

[KpxUrz]

The thing about Rembrandt was that he was a natural draftsman of unmatched skill, and these beautiful things just flowed quickly from his hand. Quite unlike anything demonstrated in this video! In my own work I strive for unhesitating and rapid creative draftsmanship. Etching is a glorious print medium, but truly almost nothing good has been done since Rembrandt. Perhaps Goya, Picasso, and Rouault, Whistler, not so many others. I have some etchings in museums, and am striving for more...

[paintkim]

My Top 3 Rembrandt's Best Drawings
1st Storm on the Sea of Galilee 🌊
2nd Beggar with a Wooden Leg 🩼
3rd The Blind Fiddler 🎻

Reason : They looks like Long John Silver, Blind Pew and Hispaniola from Treasure Island

[penmuni]

For his own plates, the narrator had too much plate tone, unwiped edges, and a lack of depth and variation in etched lines.
But we see a handsome artist with a beautiful timber voice, narrating articulately the brilliance of Rembrandt.
It's a Cristie's video. They seem to be purveyors of the idea that style can overcome substance.

[JimCincinnati]

Who are you? Why don’t you have your own television show? You are so handsome and smart! You could have your own art instructional TV show and be the (young and hot) Bob Ross of Etching. I’d bet my last dime on you Mr. Handsome Smartypants Etcher. Your show could be The Fetching Etcher. I could be your sidekick the Etch Wretch! Think about it!

[generalbarry]

Now that I've watched this, I still don't know how Rembrandt made his etchings. I heard a lot of garbled talk mumbled through an almost unintelligible very thick accent behind over-loud overpowering foreground music about Rembrandt's immense talent, but I still don't know how Rembrandt made his etchings.

[leonardgoldstein]

Why do British people mumble when they get to the middle of a sentence?

[juliarafferty]

3rd. From one great artist about another.

[random]

I feel like the guy in the video is a big dork

[eumantelli]

Bad edges, also no felts is crazy and too much plate tone