The baptism of the eunuch
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669
oil on panel (63 × 48 cm) — 1626
Acts 8:35 - Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
The black man is the chamberlain of the Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. He is a eunuch, because only castrated men were allowed in the queen's inner circle.
After a visit to Jerusalem he meets the apostle Philip. The chamberlain asks him to explain a verse from Isaiah he had just read (53:7) to him. Philip explains the verse and then joins him on his trip. The apostle starts preaching Jesus' gospel to the chamberlain.
Later on, when they reach a river, the chamberlain asks Philip to baptise him. He undergoes the baptism in ecstasy, with his hand on his chest and his eyes directed to heaven.
This is a panel Rembrandt made in the first years of his long career. It is inspired by a painting his teacher Pieter Lastman made in 1623. The panel is signed "RH 1626" in the bottom right. It was rediscovered in 1976 in a private collection..
>>>> Apostles
Post a Comment