The daughter of Jephthtah, 1640
Peeter [Petrus] Ruchollesexpand_more
Etchingexpand_more
Anonymous giftexpand_more 2018.96.13
Not on Viewexpand_more
This miniature comes from an emblem book, a book of illustrated lessons. Seated in the foreground amid mountainous terrain, we see a young women in a luxurious dress, reading from a sheet of paper. She is attended by a maidservant, who also minds a doe—a symbol of the seated woman’s virginity, a point underscored by the departure of a rabbit. In the background, we see a tiny scene of a man about to behead a young woman before burning her on a pyre.
The image relates to the story of Jephthtah, a biblical judge who vowed to God that in exchange for an Israelite victory over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice whatever first emerged from his door when he returned home. Jephthtah and the Israelites prevailed, but his celebration was brief because when he came home, his daughter ran to greet him. When she learned of her fate, she requested a two months reprieve to go to the mountains to lament her virginity before her death.
Details
- Title
- The daughter of Jephthtah
- Artist Life
- Flemish, 1618-1647
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2018.96.13
- Provenance
- C & J Goodfriend, New York; John E. Andrus III (Wayzata, Minn.); Julie Andrus (Minneapolis, Minn.)
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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