Who painted Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple?

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1659.

Where can I see Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple?

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple?

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1659

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is a print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1959.242
Credit line: Bequest of Ralph King and Purchase, Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund

About this work

Overview

Created in 1659, this black‑and‑white print by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts the biblical episode of Peter and John restoring a crippled man at the temple gate. The composition is set before a weathered, columned structure, its broken arches suggesting antiquity. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the precise moment of healing: a robed figure leans toward a seated cripple, extending a hand in aid, while a second onlooker watches intently. A child nearby observes the act, emphasizing the communal witness to the miracle and underscoring themes of compassion and divine intervention within a public space.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to focus attention on the faces and hands of the two central figures. The illuminated areas draw the viewer’s eye to the interaction, while the surrounding darkness deepens the sense of drama. The print’s linear detail and tonal gradations reflect the artist’s mastery of etching.

History & Provenance

The print has remained in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European print and drawing collection. Its attribution to Rembrandt and its dating to the late 1650s align with the master’s mature period, during which he produced several religious subjects in print form.