Religion · 17th century
€ 230
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good impression with wide margins. Minor age toning and light spotting at the lower edge, typical of age, not affecting the images. Verso blank.
Antique Biblical Engravings – The Unforgiving Servant & Christ Blessing the Children, ca. 1700
This finely executed engraving sheet, published by Pieter Mortier in Amsterdam around 1700, unites two significant Gospel episodes that explore themes of mercy, forgiveness, and innocence. The upper scene illustrates the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, from Matthew 18:23–35. A king sits enthroned in judgment, surrounded by guards and advisors, as a servant kneels before him in desperate supplication for his enormous debt to be forgiven. The dramatic contrasts of posture—authority, pleading, and indifference—reflect the moral weight of the parable, in which the servant, despite receiving mercy, later refuses to extend the same to another. The detailed architectural setting, with its curtained throne, colonnades, and distant cityscape, enhances the grandeur and solemnity of this moral lesson.
The lower scene portrays one of the most tender episodes of the New Testament: Christ blessing the children, as told in Matthew 19:13–15 and parallels in Mark and Luke. Mothers and children approach Christ, who sits calmly at the center, extending His arms in a gesture of acceptance and divine blessing. The disciples, initially hesitant to admit them, stand nearby, while the children press forward eagerly. The engraving emphasizes Christ’s compassion and the innocence of youth, reinforcing the message, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The rural backdrop with distant hills and classical ruins provides a contrast to the intimate human focus in the foreground.
Together, these engravings highlight central Christian values: the call to forgive as one has been forgiven, and the affirmation of childlike faith as a model for believers. They serve not only as devotional images but also as works of art that blend moral teaching with masterful composition and detail. For collectors and students of religious iconography, this sheet is a valuable artifact of late 17th- and early 18th-century Dutch engraving, reflecting both biblical narrative and the artistic ambitions of Mortier’s large-format Bible series.
Condition: Very good impression with wide margins. Minor age toning and light spotting at the lower edge, typical of age, not affecting the images. Verso blank.
Framing tips: A single vertical frame preserves the unity of the sheet and highlights the didactic contrast between the two Gospel lessons. An ivory or cream mat enhances the crisp line work, while a dark wood or gilt frame provides a dignified presentation. A more modern black frame can also emphasize the clarity and contrast of the engravings.
Technique: Engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier (publisher), Amsterdam, ca. 1700
