The sack of a Temple

Details

Follower of Bartholomeus Spranger
The sack of a Temple
oil on canvas
100.9 x 83.6 cm.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The iconography of the picture is unclear, however it would appear to represent the sacking of a Temple, presumaby that of Jerusalem. The four occasions on which this occurred were: first, by Egypt under King Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:2-9); second by Israel (i.e. against Judah) under King Joash (2 Chronicles 25:20-24); third by Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:8-10); and fourth (the Temple of Herod) by Rome under the Emperor Titus. The most frequent depictions represent the Babylonian and Roman assaults, and the presence in this picture of a King would suggest the former occasion (although in reality the sack was carried out under the command of Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard.

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