Pieter Mortier, The Brazen Serpent and Balaam's Ass Stopped by the Angel, 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 Numbers 21, Moses raises the brazen serpent, and Numbers 22, Balaam strikes his ass, stopped by the angel. It is plate 58 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 Numbers chapter 21, verses 6 to 8, captioned Oprichten der Metaele slange, the raising of the brazen serpent. When fiery serpents are sent among the Israelites in the wilderness, Moses sets a serpent of bronze on a pole so that all who look upon it may live. The pole rises at the centre above the tents of the camp, with Moses and Aaron beside it and the stricken people on the ground among the snakes. The lower scene takes Numbers chapter 22, verses 20 to 28, captioned Bileam slaet syn Ezelinne, werd van den Engel gekeert. Balaam, riding to meet Balak, beats his ass when she stops on the road, and an angel with a raised sword bars the way while the servants of Balak look on. 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. No designer or engraver signature is present on this sheet; it carries 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 and a frayed lower right corner with small losses confined to the margin; the engraved image is clean and crisp. 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