Object Description
The present collection is a set of 131 prints after Gerard Hoet, the Dutch golden age painter and engraver, depicting various biblical scenes. Hoet was a leading artist in the Classicizing Dutch Academic style, and his work is defined by history paintings, with a particular interest in mythological, classical, historical, and biblical scene, in particular Old testament scenes such as these. His artistic approach was effectively the opposite of artists such as Rembrandt, as can be seen here: the prints here are scrupulously and meticulously designed and executed, and highly refined. The compositions vary between calm and tranquil scenes in idyllic landscapes, to those full of drama, tension, and the numinous power of God.
Examples shown here include ‘Moses promulgates the law’, Deut. V.1-33, ‘Joseph rides in a Chariot through Egypt’, and ‘Abraham servant sweareth to his master’, Gen. XXIV. 9.
Each is labelled ‘G. Hoet del’ in the bottom left with the corresponding maker of each print in the bottom right. A short description is given for each in Hebrew, German, Latin, French, and Dutch.