Christ Preaching (La Petite Tombe)

This print by Rembrandt is not taken from any particular Biblical text, but shows a general scene of Christ preaching to the people. The haloed Christ stands in the center of the composition on a platform, his hands raised as he preaches to the surrounding crowd. To his right are thirteen seated and standing figures of men and women. To Christ's left are twelve more adult figures, all seated but for a bearded man who leans forward. The stillness of the scene conveys the rapt attention of the crowd, as they listen intently to Christ's words. Rembrandt limited the action to the gestures of Christ and the idle doodling of the boy beneath his feet, who has abandoned his toy to draw in the dirt.