It is to the biblical pictures that we must turn to see Rembrandt's greatest contribution during his mature period. The deepening of the religious content of these works is connected with some shift in his choice of biblical subjects. During the 1630s Rembrandt had used the Bible as a source for dramatic motifs; for example, the Blinding of Samson. In his middle phase he turned to more calm and intimate subjects, particularly episodes from the life of the Holy Family. At the beginning of the mature period the figure of Christ becomes pre-eminent. Scenes taken from the life of Jesus, quiet episodes of his youth, his preaching and the deeds of his early manhood, and his resurrection form the main subject of the biblical representations.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	Holy Family with St Anne 1640 Oil on wood, 41 x 34 cm Musée du Louvre, Paris
	Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery 1644 Oil on wood, 84 x 65 cm National Gallery, London
	Joseph's Dream 1645 Oil on mahogany panel, 20 x 27 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin
	The Holy Family with Angels 1645 Oil on canvas, 117 x 91 cm The Hermitage, St. Petersburg
	The Holy Family with Angels (detail) 1645 Oil on canvas The Hermitage, St. Petersburg
	The Holy Family with a Curtain 1646 Oil on wood, 46,5 x 69 cm Staatliche Museen, Kassel
	Adoration of the Shepherds 1646 Oil on canvas, 66 x 55 cm National Gallery, London
	Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1647 Oil on panel, 34 x 48 cm National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
	Supper at Emmaus 1648 Oil on canvas, 68 x 65 cm Musée du Louvre, Paris