Rembrandt van Rijn

Peter and John healing the Cripple at the Gates of the Temple

Peter and John healing the Cripple at the Gates of the Temple by Rembrandt van Rijn

Artwork Detail

This was one of final etchings that Rembrandt undertook, and the last depicting a biblical subject. The scene comes from Acts 3 in the Bible, which tells the story of a man, lame since birth, who each day collected alms at the entrance to the temple. Encountering the man, Peter told the man to look upon him and John, and then took his hand and told him in the name of Jesus Christ to walk, which he proceeded to do.

Only the first part of this story is directly recorded in the etching, showing Peter and John meeting the man at the temple gate. The scene does however allude to events to come by the placement of two well-dressed men at the left side of the print, who appear to be surreptitiously eavesdropping on the unfolding scene. It is these figures presumably who later report Peter and John to the priests and the captain of the temple.

Jane davidson - 2004

Title
Peter and John healing the Cripple at the Gates of the Temple
Artist/creator
Rembrandt van Rijn
Production date
1659
Medium
etching
Dimensions
190 x 223 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 2004
Accession no
2004/18/2
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
International Art
Display status
Not on display

To find out which artworks are available for print requests and reproduction please enquire here. This service only applies to select artworks in the Gallery's collection.