I didn’t know what to expect when I asked Epco Runia, the Head of Collections at the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, to show me his favorite etching in the fascinating exhibition he curated, “Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White—Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum,” at the Taft Museum of Art February 7 through May 17.

It would probably be like asking a musician for their favorite composition. But he went right to the most miniature of the nearly 50 small masterpieces in the exhibition in Fifth Third Gallery. There it was, “Sleeping Puppy” (about 1640), an etching of about three inches in length, with the charming subject curled up in a corner.

“It’s a sleeping puppy, a small dog in a kind of little corner of a room, and that’s why I like it so much. It’s such an intimate scene,” he said. “It gives the impression that this is really something he saw, his own dog in his house. And then, out of an impulse, he must have decided to make an etching out of it. Read Leah Zipperstein’s story today in the Business Courier for great information about the technique.)

“And the light is beautiful on this dog — on the head, and the shadows in back and, well, I love dogs. So, the way his head is on his paw resting, those kind of details are so typical for a dog resting. That Rembrandt is interested in something ordinary like this, makes this into such a beautiful thing. That is, for me, very much what I appreciate about Rembrandt. I love the way he brought everyday life into his art.”

That point is well taken when you stroll through the exhibition, which includes self portraits, biblical scenes, landscapes and everyday people. There is a section illustrating Rembrandt’s pioneering art of print-making, with examples of the actual copper plates that he used.

The “Sleeping Puppy” is so tiny, many people might walk right by it. Indeed, this is not the kind of show to rush through. They are small treasures to savor.

“You really need to take the time, to stand still, to take your time, to grab a magnifying glass that are available,” Runia said. “Then with the magnifying glass, you can so much better appreciate what these prints are about.”

Even without a magnifying glass, I was struck by the depth of feeling of Rembrandt’s subjects, the intense gaze of his self-portraits (many of them familiar) and the play of light and shadow in all of these prints. My personal favorite was “Abraham’s Sacrifice,” 1655, etching and drypoint, which so vividly and emotionally depicts the biblical story.

 

Abraham’s Sacrifice (1655) depicts the biblical story of God’s command that Abraham sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, as an offering. At the last moment, an angel stops him. Under the angel’s wing is a ram in the thicket, provided for the offering instead.

There is also a select group of etchings by Rembrandt’s contemporaries, as well as later admirers including James McNeill Whistler and Pablo Picasso.

While you’re there, go into the main historic house for one of the Taft’s most significant paintings, Rembrandt’s Portrait of a Man Rising from His Chair.

“It’s wonderful to be able to further highlight his artistic achievements. In 1999, the Taft debuted etchings from the Rembrandt House Museum to critical acclaim in the U.S., and we are thrilled to be one of three museums on their second American tour,” said the Taft Museum’s Tamera Lenz Muente, installing curator.

Co-organized by the Rembrandt House Museum (the artist’s former home and studio in Amsterdam) and the American Federation of Arts, this is the first time in 27 years that this exquisite collection of etchings is being displayed outside of the Netherlands.

And this week, the Dutch master is having a moment. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, a tiny chalk drawing, “Young Lion Resting,” by Rembrandt sold for a record $17.9 million at auction.

General admission is free for Taft members, military, and youth (17 and under); $20 for adults; and $18 for seniors. Admission is free on Sundays and Mondays. Learn more about ticketing, programs, and visitor information at taftmuseum.org/Exhibitions/Rembrandt.