Religion · 17th century
€ 230
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good, with strong impressions and clean paper. Minor age-related toning and a few faint spots in the margins. Wide margins preserved. Verso blank. Please study the images carefully.
Antique Biblical Engravings – The Rich Young Man & Christ Teaching at the Feast, 18th c.
This fine antique engraving presents two significant episodes from the New Testament, executed in detailed line work characteristic of 18th-century biblical print cycles. The upper image illustrates the episode from Matthew 19:16–22, commonly known as The Rich Young Man. Here, a wealthy youth approaches Christ to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Christ, surrounded by His disciples, directs him to sell his possessions and give to the poor in order to follow Him. The young man, unwilling to part with his wealth, turns away sorrowful. The composition captures the drama of the moment: Christ at the center with a calm and teaching presence, while the youth turns his back, a powerful visual metaphor for the conflict between earthly possessions and spiritual devotion. The setting of mountains and ancient ruins provides an atmospheric biblical landscape.
The lower engraving, after John 7:14–15, depicts Christ teaching the Jews at the Feast of Tabernacles. This scene unfolds in a grand architectural space with classical buildings, colonnades, and a large public gathering. Christ, shown with radiant halo, stands elevated and addresses the multitude, His gesture one of authority and proclamation. The crowd, with varied expressions of listening, questioning, and debate, emphasizes the tension and significance of this teaching moment within Jewish religious life. The artist integrates both architectural grandeur and the solemnity of the festival, contrasting the humility of Christ’s mission with the opulence of the setting.
Together, these engravings highlight two key themes in the Gospels: the personal challenge of discipleship and the public role of Christ as teacher and prophet. The pairing invites reflection on the moral demands of faith and the universality of Christ’s message. Collectors of biblical prints or students of religious iconography will value the clarity of detail, narrative force, and historical resonance in these works.
Condition: Very good, with strong impressions and clean paper. Minor age-related toning and a few faint spots in the margins. Wide margins preserved. Verso blank. Please study the images carefully.
Framing tips: This sheet would present beautifully in a tall vertical frame to preserve the two scenes together. An ivory or light cream mat will enhance the clarity of the engraved lines, while a dark wood or gilt frame can provide a rich, classical finish. For a more restrained presentation, black or ebonized wood adds sober elegance, allowing the dramatic biblical subjects to take full focus.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier (publisher), Amsterdam, ca. 1700
