The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple

Details

Bernard Picart (Paris 1673-1733 Amsterdam)
The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple
signed and dated 'B. PICART.FT 1698.' and with inscription 'Heliodorus gestraft in den Tempel' (verso)
red chalk, pen and black ink, brown and grey wash, black ink framing lines, watermark posthorn with shield and letters WK
13.9 x 20.9 cm.

Provenance

Johann Edler Goll van Franckenstein (1722-1785) (L.2987), with his number 'Nº 3969'.
Jacob Helmolt (1747-1808) (L. 2986b), with his number 'Nº 1269' (crossed out).
H.P. Schouten, Delft (according to an inscription on the mount. The inscription could refer to the painter Hubert Pieter Schouten [1747-1812]).

Engraved

In the same direction by Matthijs Pool (1676-1740) in Historie des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments, published in Amsterdam, 1700.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Brought to you by

Harriet West

hwest@christies.com +442073892541

Lot Essay

This drawing was engraved by Matthijs Pool (1676-1740) for the Historie des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments, also known as the 'Great Bible', which was published in two volumes by Pieter Mortier (1661-1711) in Amsterdam in 1700. The two volumes, describing the Old and New Testament, were illustrated with 428 engravings after drawings by artists such as Picart, Jan Luyken (1649-1712), Gerard Hoet I (1648-1733) and Jan Goeree (1670-1731). The subject is taken from the biblical episode described in 2 Maccabees (3:21-28). Seleucus IV Philopator, King of Syria, ordered his legate Heliodorus to seize the treasure preserved in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Onias, who can be seen in the background on the balcony with his arms raised, prayed for salvation. God answered his prayers by sending a horseman who drove Heliodorus out of the temple.

We are grateful to Nelke Bartelings for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.

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