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Scripture
Massacre of the Innocents & Christ among the Doctors, 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. Light toning and minor foxing in margins, faint handling marks consistent with age. Central images sharp and well-preserved.
- Faith
- Christianity
- Collection
- Scripture
- Era
- 1700 to 1799, Mortier, Picart and the illustrated Bible
- Stock no.
- f_46664232
Massacre of the Innocents & Christ among the Doctors, Pieter Mortier, ca. 1700
Original antique engraving from Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament, published in Amsterdam by Pieter Mortier around 1700. This double scene plate illustrates two dramatic and contrasting episodes from the early life of Christ.
The upper scene shows the Massacre of the Innocents (Matthew II, 16 to 18). Soldiers, acting on King Herod’s command, storm into Bethlehem and slaughter young children. The engraving vividly captures the chaos: mothers plead for mercy, soldiers brandish swords, and children are torn from their mothers’ arms. The background shows a cityscape with classical architecture, heightening the scale and violence of the event. This episode foreshadows both suffering and divine deliverance in the Gospel narrative.
The lower scene depicts Christ among the Doctors in the Temple (Luke II, 41 to 52). The twelve-year-old Jesus is seated in the temple, engaged in debate with learned scholars. Holding a book in his hand, he gestures with calm authority, while the elders respond with surprise and admiration at his wisdom. The engraved setting is richly detailed, with architectural arches and the tablets of the Law prominently displayed, symbolizing Christ’s divine understanding of scripture.
Together, these engravings contrast violent human cruelty with divine wisdom and foreshadow the course of Christ’s ministry. Mortier’s engravers combine expressive figures with finely detailed architectural backdrops, making these plates powerful examples of Dutch Baroque biblical illustration.
Condition report:
Very good condition. Strong impression with wide margins. Light toning and minor foxing in margins, faint handling marks consistent with age. Central images sharp and well-preserved.
Framing tips:
A cream or ivory double-aperture mat will highlight the two distinct episodes, while a dark walnut or ebonized frame gives the engraving a strong visual presence. A gilt frame can add a devotional character, suitable for the biblical subject.
Technique: Copperplate engraving
Maker: Pieter Mortier, Amsterdam, ca. 1700
