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 Numbers 11, God sends quails to the camp of Israel, and Numbers 13, the spies return from Canaan with its fruit. It is plate 56 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 11, verse 31, captioned Godt vervult met Quackelen het Leger der Israeliten, God fills the camp of the Israelites with quails. Great flocks of birds fill the sky over the tents while the people gather them and cook them over fires, and Moses and Aaron stand at right as fire breaks out at the edge of the camp.
The lower scene takes Numbers chapter 13, verse 26, captioned De Verspieders keere weder van Canaan en toonen de Vruchte, the spies return from Canaan and show its fruit. Moses sits before his tent as the returning men present branches of fruit and the great cluster of grapes from the valley of Eshcol.
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. No designer or engraver signature is present on this sheet; it carries 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, scattered foxing in the upper margins and small chips along the frayed right edge; 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.
