P. P. Bouche, The Egyptian Midwives, 1705, Engraving

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Original antique engraving - subject matter: hebrew midwives refusing to kill male babies as ordered by the pharaoh of egypt. … Read more Original antique engraving - subject matter: hebrew midwives refusing to kill male babies as ordered by the pharaoh of egypt. - artists: engraving by peter paul bouche (p.p. Bouche) after g. Freeman (g. Fraeman). - date: approximately 1694. - publication/creation date: 1705. - physical : the print is a line engraving and etching, with a platemark measuring 34.4 x 21.3 cm. The engraving includes a banner carried by two cherubs with the following inscription: - inscription text: charlott lady myddelton daughter of ye right honble. Sr. Orlande bridgeman, kt. And baronet, lord keeper of ye great seal of england, & lady dowager of sr. Thomas myddelton of chirk castle denbighshire baronet in denbigh. For ye advancement of this worke contributed this plate to whose patronage it is humbly dedicated by r. Blome. ``` contributors and dedicatees - **g. Freeman (g. Fraeman)**: the original artist (delin. = delineavit, meaning 'drawn by'). - **peter paul bouche (p.p. Bouche)**: the engraver (scul. = sculpsit, meaning 'engraved by'). - **charlotte, lady myddelton**: the dedicatee, noted for her contribution to the work. She passed away in 1694. - **richard blome (r. Blome)**: the person who humbly dedicated the plate. Additional details - lettering: the engraving includes the phrase "the aegiptian midwives. Exodus 1." indicating the biblical reference. - bears number: the print bears the number "36". References - biblical reference: old testament, exodus chapter 1, which narrates the story of the egyptian midwives. This engraving is an intricate piece of historical artwork dedicated to a notable figure, lady charlotte myddelton, and it illustrates a significant biblical event with detailed craftsmanship by noted artists of the period. See less