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Scripture
Birth of John the Baptist & Angel Appearing to Joseph, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Anno Domini MDCC1700
£195
$260 · €230
Original print, not a reproduction
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- Date
- 1700
- Sheet size
- 17.7 × 11 in (45 × 28 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Very good condition. Strong impression with wide margins. Minor toning and light foxing at edges, small handling marks consistent with age. Images remain crisp and detailed.
- Faith
- Christianity
- Collection
- Scripture
- Era
- 1700 to 1799, Mortier, Picart and the illustrated Bible
- Stock no.
- f_46665022
Birth of John the Baptist & Angel Appearing to Joseph, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Original antique engraving from Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700. The plate presents two early New Testament episodes, finely executed in the baroque style that characterized Mortier’s great illustrated Bibles.
The upper scene depicts the Birth of John the Baptist (Luke I, 57 to 66). Elizabeth presents the newborn child as relatives and neighbors gather around. At the center, Zechariah, who had been struck mute, writes on a tablet the name “John,” confirming the angel’s prophecy. The dramatic gestures of those present emphasize the miraculous nature of the event, while the architectural background lends grandeur to the narrative.
The lower scene shows the Angel Appearing to Joseph in a Dream (Matthew I, 18 to 25). Joseph, resting in his chamber, is visited by an angel descending in radiant light. The angel reassures him to take Mary as his wife, for the child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. The engraving captures both the intimacy of the dreamlike setting and the power of divine revelation, with strong contrasts of light and shadow heightening the drama.
These engravings are fine examples of Mortier’s baroque biblical illustration, combining theological clarity with striking visual storytelling. Produced for the monumental Amsterdam edition of the *Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament*, they were intended for both devotional use and as works of art for collectors.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Strong impression with wide margins. Minor toning and light foxing at edges, small handling marks consistent with age. Images remain crisp and detailed.
Framing tips:
A cream or ivory double-aperture mount will balance the two narratives. A walnut or dark wood frame enhances the engraving’s depth, while a gilt frame brings out the divine light in the lower scene, emphasizing its devotional qualities.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier, Amsterdam, ca. 1700
