# The Three Crosses

- By: Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden, 1606–1669)
- Date: 1653
- Medium: paper
- Classification: print
- Dimensions: height 387 mm x width 455 mm
- Credit line: Mr and Mrs De Bruijn-van der Leeuw Bequest, Muri, Switzerland
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/RP-P-1962-39--7b9320dad7806437d71325eb4044f1dd)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/OkyXZ/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

When you scratch a line in an etching plate, it produces a small raised edge called a ‘burr’. The burr, which gives drypoint lines such a sumptuous velvety look, wears away quickly. As a result, the decorative effect of the technique diminishes and the representation becomes increasingly lighter. Here Rembrandt solved that problem by making areas of shadow darker again with extra lines, for example under the dog in the foreground.