The Baptism of the Eunuch

Rembrandt signed and dated this in 1626, when he was just 20 and newly back in his home town of Leiden, setting up as an independent painter. He had spent about six months in Amsterdam studying with Pieter Lastman, a master of crowded, colourful history scenes, and you can feel the lesson here. The subject comes from the Book of Acts. Philip, a follower of Christ, baptises an Ethiopian court official beside the road to Gaza, the moment tradition treats as Christianity first reaching Africa. The young Rembrandt piles on bright silks, a turban, a horse and an exotic retinue, almost showing off what he can do. The soft handling of light on the kneeling official already hints at the painter he would become.