Artwork Page for Plate 3: Simeon

Details / Information for Plate 3: Simeon

Series Title: The Twelve Sons of Jacob

Plate 3: Simeon

c. 1589

Jacob de Gheyn II

(Netherlandish, 1565–1629)
author

after Karel I van Mander

(Netherlandish, 1548–1606)
View all records in artwork set
Culture
Netherlands
Medium
engraving
Measurements
Platemark: 16 x 11 cm (6 5/16 x 4 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Carole W. and Charles B. Rosenblatt Endowment Fund 2024.145.2
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The bellicose nature of this figure is emphasized by his flying cloak and muscular frame, which turns away from the viewer and toward the possible subject of his ire.

Description

In this print, the biblical figure Simeon is posed with a sword and wearing armor, denoting the violent acts he perpetrated in his life. This is one of a series of prints depicting the twelve sons of Jacob, each with an attribute and costume that denotes his character. According to the Old Testament, Jacob blessed each of his twelve sons, prophesizing the destiny of their tribe, and assigning them a parcel of land in Canaan. The print series was made in the Netherlands in the late 16th century, a time of political struggle when Old Testament heroes were popular exemplars of fortitude and patience.
A vertically oriented print in black ink depicts Symeon, a muscular man with light skin, wearing an ornate plumed helmet. Facing and looking upward to our right, his torso is shaded with fine hash marks. He holds a large sword vertically in his right hand, while his left arm rests on a stone block. In the background, figures stand within a stone gateway. Latin text is inscribed at the bottom.

Plate 3: Simeon

c. 1589

Jacob de Gheyn II, Karel I van Mander

(Netherlandish, 1565–1629), (Netherlandish, 1548–1606)
Netherlands

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork