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Note: So sorry the top part copied and pasted in such LARGE print from the blank email I used to compose this post. Oops.

Hey, Urxie. I'm glad you asked that because I watch lots of documentaries on just about everything all the time and happen to know the answer. Well, it's the answer most experts agree upon regarding your questions: "The highlighted person is Rembrandt himself. Why do you think he painted himself in the picture? Why is the other man staring straight at the viewer?"

Okay, before answering those specific questions, here's a snippet telling you a little about Rembrandt and his religious paintings. Sort of the "Why" so to speak. You can read more at the link I'll provide beneath the snippet.

<<Snippet>>

"Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (July 15, 1606 - October 4, 1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher. He is generally considered one of the greatest painters and printmakers in European art history and the most important in Dutch history.^[1] His contributions to art came in a period that historians call the Dutch Golden Age.

Having achieved youthful success as a portrait painter, his later years were marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship. Yet his drawings and paintings were popular throughout his lifetime, his reputation as an artist remained high^[2] and for twenty years he taught nearly every important Dutch painter.^[3] Rembrandt's greatest creative triumphs are exemplified especially in his portraits of his contemporaries, self-portraits and illustrations of scenes from the Bible. The self-portraits form a unique and intimate biography, in which the artist surveyed himself without vanity and with the utmost sincerity.^[1]

In both painting and printmaking he exhibited a complete knowledge of classical iconography, which he molded to fit the requirements of his own experience; thus, the depiction of a biblical scene was informed by Rembrandt's knowledge of the specific text, his assimilation of classical composition, and his observations of the Jewish population of Amsterdam.^[4] Because of his empathy for the human condition, he has been called "one of the great prophets of civilization."

<<End Snippet>>

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt

Now, on to your specific query: "The highlighted person is Rembrandt himself. Why do you think he painted himself in the picture? Why is the other man staring straight at the viewer?" Since the author of the following Website can word the explanation far better than I can, I'm going to "borrow" the author's words and provide the link for you.

Here goes ...

"The Raising of the Cross" was painted by Rembrandt Harmensz Van Rijn, a Dutch artist who lived from 1606 to 1669. He is known for his rich Biblical paintings, moving historical scenes, accurate everyday sketches, and realistic yet expressive portraits. He was born, raised, and educated in Leiden, and at the age of 25 he moved to Amsterdam and become a professional painter. Although he was well-recognized as a painter throughout his life, financial problems and rumours of adultery followed him. However, Rembrandt was certainly a man who loved God, as it is said that his most treasured and studied book was the Bible, and his paintings of Biblical scenes always show an understanding of their intended message.

In "The Raising of the Cross" (1633), Rembrandt shows the cross of Christ being raised. But this is no simple crucifix scene. Rembrandt shows a dark, moody crowd of people, broken by a spotlight shining on the man who is raising the cross - himself. Next to Rembrandt's face we see the feet of Jesus, brutally pierced by nails, with blood flowing down. Our eyes then travel upward, gazing upon His abused, exposed body. His arms are extended above His head, and His hands are nailed to the cross, covered in the blood by which we are saved. Finally, we see Christ's eyes, cast upwards in desperation and intense pain, but with full submission to the will of God His Father.

To the left of Rembrandt we see a man who stares coldly, directly at us, questions deep in his eyes. He seems to be asking, "Cannot you see what is taking place here? This is an innocent man who is being executed for the sins of mankind. It is YOU who stood right there, driving the nails through His flesh, mocking Him, and raising the cross."

The message is clear - it is our own sins that put Christ on the cross. Humanity, made in the image of God though tragically fallen, is hopelessly incapable of achieving righteousness, or even desiring it apart from the redeeming work of God in the hearts of those whom He has chosen.

In the Old Testament, God saved His elect through faith and imputed righteousness to them. For example, in Romans chapter four, the Apostle Paul explains that Abraham was in fact not justified through his works, but solely because he believed and followed God, and God credited this to him as righteousness. Therefore, our righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, which God has written on our account, just as He took our sin and transferred it to Christ's account. The power of sin and death was conquered by Christ, who died and then rose again, victorious over sin.

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)

Link: http://www.propheticpoetic.com/dialectics/index.php?showtopic=1047&mode=threaded

Me talking again. I guess it's true that the simplest explanations are usually correct. Voila.

Ya wanna see and judge for yourself? If so, where shall I post the two Da Vinci paintings for you to compare? Hey, I'll betcha a nickel that I'm right.

Seeya. Hugs!