About this sheet
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 1 Samuel 24, David shows Saul the skirt cut from his robe, and 1 Samuel 25, Abigail meets David with gifts. It is plate 84 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 1 Samuel chapter 24, captioned David toont aen Saul d'afgesnede slip van zijn mantel, David shows Saul the skirt cut from his robe. Having crept up on the king in the cave at En Gedi and spared his life, David holds up the piece of cloth as proof that he meant him no harm.
The lower scene takes 1 Samuel chapter 25, captioned Abigael gaat David te gemoet en bevredigt hem, Abigail goes to meet David and appeases him. The wife of the churlish Nabal comes with laden asses and gifts of food and kneels before David to turn aside his anger.
This copper engraving comes from the illustrated Bible published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700, a landmark of Dutch Baroque book illustration that set more than four hundred biblical scenes before the reader. Each sheet pairs two episodes, framed like pictures on a wall and headed by engraved cartouches with the chapter and verse and captions in Dutch and French. The plate is signed O. Elgers inv. at lower left for the designer Ottmar Elliger, with the imprint P. Mortier edit. cum Privil. The project brought together many of the most accomplished artists in the Netherlands, among them Gerard Hoet, Arnold Houbraken and Bernard Picart, and its theatrical compositions and rich tonal engraving show Dutch Baroque printmaking at its most confident.
Printed on laid paper with full margins and a blank verso, the engraving is uncoloured, as issued. Framed in a simple dark or gilt moulding with a generous mount, a Mortier Bible sheet makes a handsome feature in a study, reading room or place of worship, and collectors often build themed groups around a single book of the Bible or a favourite figure.
The sheet is in good condition for its age, with light toning, a frayed right edge with small chips and some light soiling in the right margin; the engraved image is clean.
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.
