Pieter Mortier, Fire Consumes Aaron's Offering and Death of Nadab and Abihu, 1700, Engraving

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This original copper engraving from Pieter Mortier's illustrated Bible, published in Amsterdam circa 1700, shows two Old Testament scenes on … Read more This original copper engraving from Pieter Mortier's illustrated Bible, published in Amsterdam circa 1700, shows two Old Testament scenes on one sheet. The subjects are Leviticus 9, fire from the Lord consumes the offering, and Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu consumed for offering strange fire. It is plate 53 of the series, a fine example of Dutch Baroque biblical engraving with the upper and lower compositions each set in its own engraved frame. The upper scene illustrates Leviticus chapter 9, verses 23 and 24, in which, at the first offerings of the newly consecrated priesthood, the glory of the Lord appears and fire comes out from before the Lord and consumes the burnt offering on the altar, and the people shout and fall on their faces. The lower scene takes Leviticus chapter 10, verses 1 and 2, in which Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offer strange fire before the Lord and are themselves devoured by fire from the sanctuary. Pieter Mortier (1661 to 1711) was one of the leading publishers of Amsterdam, and his great illustrated Bible of 1700, the Historie des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments, was among the most ambitious picture Bibles of the Dutch Golden Age, with more than four hundred scenes engraved on copper. The sheets were laid out as here, two scenes one above the other within engraved frames, each with its own cartouche giving the scripture reference and a caption in Dutch and French. The plate is signed Ph. Tiedman inv. for the designer Philip Tideman and A. de Blois sculp. for the engraver Abraham de Blois, with the imprint P. Mortier edit. cum Privil. Mortier drew on the best draughtsmen and engravers working in Amsterdam, among them Gerard Hoet, Arnold Houbraken, Jan Luyken and Bernard Picart, and the result is a monument of Dutch Baroque book illustration. The sheet is printed on laid paper with full margins and a blank verso, and it is uncoloured, as issued. A Mortier Bible engraving of this quality suits a study, library or hallway, and it hangs particularly well with other sheets from the same Bible, where the framed double compositions build into a striking group. It would also make a thoughtful gift for anyone with an interest in the Old Testament, Dutch art or the history of the printed Bible. The sheet is in good condition for its age, with light toning, a few small spots and minor nicks at the upper edge; the image itself is clean and strong. This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed. See less