After parting ways with Rembrandt in Leiden in 1631, Jan Lievens lived and worked in London and Antwerp, before settling in Amsterdam in 1644. Evidently, he also returned to his competitive relationship with his old friend, to judge by the evidence of this painting. With his choice of format and subject matter, Lievens clearly aimed to take over the running commission Rembrandt had with the House of Orange, for scenes from the life of Jesus, the so-called “Passion Series.”