Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem (1630)

Jeremiah lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem (1630)

Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem
1630
Oil on panel, 58 x 46 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The crestfallen Prophet Jeremiah rests his weary, old head on his hand. He laments Jerusalem going up in flames – in the background – whose destruction he had prophesied. Rembrandt heightened the sense of drama with powerful contrasts of light and dark. He derived the prophet’s bearded head from one of the old men he often etched around this time. (RIJKS)

See also:

• Jerusalem (Israel)