Saul Kills the Priests of Nob and David Escapes Saul, Mortier Bible 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 1 Samuel 22, Saul has the priests of Nob killed, and 1 Samuel 23, David surrounded by Saul and delivered. It is plate 83 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 First Book of Samuel, chapter 22, captioned Saul doet de Priesters van Nob dooden, Saul has the priests of Nob put to death. Seated beneath a tree with his spearmen, Saul gives the order while an armored soldier raises his sword against the priests, who shrink back at left.

The lower scene takes 1 Samuel chapter 23, captioned David van Saul omsingelt en behouden, David surrounded by Saul and delivered. As Saul closes in on David in the wilderness of Maon, a messenger runs up to announce that the Philistines have invaded the land, and Saul is forced to turn back.

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 Inv. at lower left for the designer Ottmar Elliger, with 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, slightly frayed edges and a small discolored area at the lower left corner; the engraved image is clean.