Artwork Page for Plate 4: Judah

Details / Information for Plate 4: Judah

Series Title: The Twelve Sons of Jacob

Plate 4: Judah

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 2024.145.3
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 crown atop the hat of this Old Testament figure symbolizes his status as an ancestor of Kings David and Solomon.

Description

In this print, the biblical figure Judah is posed in a ceremonial robe with a lion and holding a scepter, symbolizing his power, bravery, success in battle, and leadership. 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 Judah, an older man with light skin, a long, wavy beard, and downcast eyes. Shaded with fine hash marks and draped in heavily folded, fur-trimmed robes, he stands before an architectural background, facing our right. He wears a crown atop a wide-brimmed hat and holds a star-topped scepter while a lion's head rests beside him. Latin text is inscribed across the bottom.

Plate 4: Judah

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