Topic: 1. Sacrifice and Bible (16th-18th Century)
The Bible, with its plethora of examples of sacrifice and self-sacrifice, plays a pivotal role in shaping the discourse on sacrifice in the early modern world.
This section includes:
- Sources: A broad selection of early modern writings, encompassing biblical exegesis, theological and philosophical interpretations, various translations, prayer books, and hymns.
- Iconographic Representations: This visual collection showcases early modern depictions of biblical sacrifices, including key scenes like the Sacrifice of Isaac as interpreted in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
- Related Bibliography: Complemented by a comprehensive bibliography of scholarly works from the 19th to 21st centuries, offering modern perspectives and analyses of these historical interpretations.
Sacrifice of Isaac (12nd Century)
Palatine Chapel, Royal Palace or Palace of the Normans, Palermo (Italy)
Sacrifice of Isaac (Detail) (12nd Century)
Palatine Chapel, Royal Palace or Palace of the Normans, Palermo (Italy)
Sacrifice of Isaac and Death of Abel [1660]
from: Catalogo generale dei Beni Culturali
Museo di Castelvecchio, Verona
Sacrifice of Noah [1580 - 1610]
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Sacrificial scene before the Golden Calf (16th-17th)
Albertina, Vienna
Sacrificium Achas Regis Idololatrae IIII.Reg.XVI (1539)
from: Aemilius, Georg. Biblicae historiae, magno artificio depictae, et utilitatis publicae causa latinis epigrammatibus à Georgio Aemylio illustratae, Frankfurt, Christianus Egenolphus, [1539], p. Hiv(verso)
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Samson at the temple of Dagôn (1482)
from: Mirouer de la redempcion de l'umain lignage. Traducteur Julien Macho
Lyon, Bibliothèque municipale, Rés Inc 1043 f. 419
Samson destroys the temple (15th)
from: Boccaccio, De casibus virorum illustrium. Translated by Laurent de Premierfait
Paris, BnF, MS Français 235 fol. 38v
Samson destroys the temple (15th)
from: Boccaccio, De casibus virorum illustrium
Paris, BnF, Ms Français 233 fol. 28
Samson destroys the Temple (Armadi della Sagrestia con Tarsie Lignee) (XVI)
Napoli, Certosa e Museo Nazionale di San Martino
Samson Self-Sacrifice (1570)
from: Biblia, Das ist Die gantze Heylige Schrifft Teutsch Mart. Luth., Sampt einem Register und schoenen Figuren, Franckfurt am Mayn, Johann Wolffen und David Zephelij, Erben, 1570, fol. 143v
Samson smashes down the pillars in the Philistines' house (Samson reißt die Säulen im Haus der Philister ein) (1601-1625)
Herzog August Bibliothek, Wolfenbüttel
Samson, mocked by the Philistines, throws down the pillars of the house [1350-1400]
from: Speculum humanae salvationis metrice cum figuris pictis (Germany)
Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cim 3003
Solomon sacrifices at Gabaon (1428)
from: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek - Clm 15701, fol. 144v
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich
Stove plate with the sacrifice of Isaac (1550 - 1600)
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Stove plate with the sacrifice of Isaac (1570 - 1575)
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam