Judith Before Holofernes and Judith Beheads Holofernes, Mortier circa 1700

This original copper engraving from Pieter Mortier's illustrated Bible, published in Amsterdam circa 1700, shows two scenes from the Apocrypha on one sheet. The subjects are Judith 10, Judith comes by night to the tent of Holofernes, and Judith 13, Judith cuts off the head of Holofernes and delivers Bethulia. It is plate 131 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 the Book of Judith, chapter 10, verse 17, captioned Judith komt des nachts inde tent van Holophernus, Judith comes by night into the tent of Holofernes. Brought before the Assyrian general in his pavilion, Judith kneels with her maid beside her while Holofernes, in plumed helmet and armor, gestures towards her among his officers.

The lower scene takes Judith chapter 13, captioned Judith houd Holophernus 't hooft af, en verlost Bethulien, Judith cuts off the head of Holofernes and delivers Bethulia. At the opening of the dark tent Judith drops the head into the bag held open by her maid, while the camp beyond lies unaware in the night.

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. No designer or engraver signature is present on this sheet; it carries the imprint P. Mortier edit. cum Privil. 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, a few small spots and minor nicks at the right edge; the image itself is clean and strong.