Death of the Amalekite Messenger and Uzzah Struck Down, Mortier circa 1700

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 2 Samuel 1, David has the Amalekite who brought news of Saul's death killed, and 2 Samuel 6, Uzzah struck down for touching the Ark. It is plate 87 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 2 Samuel chapter 1, verse 15. The Amalekite who comes to David with the crown of Saul and claims to have killed the king is put to death at David's command for having raised his hand against the Lord's anointed.

The lower scene takes 2 Samuel chapter 6. As the Ark of the Covenant is carried on a new cart towards Jerusalem the oxen stumble, and Uzzah, putting out his hand to steady it, is struck dead beside the Ark.

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. The plate is signed O. Elliger del. for the designer Ottmar Elliger; the engraver's signature at lower right is only partly legible. 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 uncolored, 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, frayed edges with small chips and a soft crease at the lower left corner; the engraved image is clean and crisp.