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There were at least three
Leyken editions. The first was edited by P. Mortier (1704). The
second was printed in Covens and Mortier (1729). And then the
plates were bought by F. Houttuyn who came out with a new
edition (1747).
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This is the first edition of the
Dutch Josephus with illustrations by the
famous Dutch brothers Jan and Kaspar
Luyken. For centuries Flavius Josephus',
a Jewish historian, works were more
widely read in Europe than any book
other than the Bible. They are an
invaluable eye-witness to a momentous
turning point in Judaism, Christianity,
and Western civilization. It is believed
Josephus is a primary source of
knowledge for much of the history of
Judaism in the First Century CE. His
books provide essential background for
an understanding of both the beginning
of modern Judaism and of the New
Testament in its historical setting.
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FROM A JOSEPHUS OF PIETER MORTIER - 1704
As far as we can tell, this is the
first edition of these prints. Printed on a stiff, yet thin laid
paper, the images are pristine, crisp, clear, and well-inked. Titles
are in Dutch. These large pages are roughly 20"x 16.5" (images
roughly 17"x 13").
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Gen. VII.
De Sondvloed.
P. Mortier edit Cum Privileg. Pag. 9
Rough Translation: The Flood. [Luyken shows the ark in the
rising waters from the point of view of the animals and people who
are being flooded.]
Relevant Biblical Passage: Genesis 7: "... 21 And all flesh perished
that moved upon the earth, both fowl, and cattle, and beast, and
every swarming thing that swarmeth upon the earth, and every man.
..."
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Gen. XIX.
Sodom door't Vuur Vergaan.
P. Mortier edit Cum Privileg. Pag. 18
Rough Translation: Sodom Perishing by fire. [An incredible
spectacle of flames coming from the heavens. Powerful and emotional
facial expression on those who are trying to flee.]
Relevant Biblical Passage: Genesis 19: "... 24 Then the LORD caused
to rain upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the
LORD out of heaven; 25 and He overthrow those cities, and all the
Plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew
upon the ground ..."
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Exod. IX.
De Plaag van Hagel en Vuur over Egipte.
P. Mortier edit Cum Privileg. Pag.
54
Rough Translation: The Plague of Hail Lighting Up over Egypt.
[Highly dramatic storm scene with hail depicted powerfully and
individually, even with smashed trees. A vivid portrayal of the
suffering of the animals and people.]
Relevant Biblical Passage: Exodus 9: "... 24 So there was hail, and
fire flashing up amidst the hail, very grievous, such as had not
been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the
hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the
field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the
field, and broke every tree of the field. ..."
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Exod. XIX.
De Wetgeeving op den Berg Sinai.
P. Mortier edit Cum Privileg. Pag.
63
Rough Translation: The Giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. [One
of the most powerful portrayals of the Hebrew people gathered around
Mt. Sinai (complete with smoke, fire, etc.) which is surrounded by a
fence. It is a tremendously emotional scene.]
Relevant Biblical Passage: Exodus 19: "... 16 And it came to pass on
the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and
lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of a horn
exceeding loud; and all the people that were in the camp trembled.
17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet God;
and they stood at the nether part of the mount. ..."
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1. Het opzetten van den Tabernakel. 2. De
Gouden Kandelaar, het Reukwerks Altaar, en de Tafel der Toonbrooden.
3. De Heerlykheyd des Heeren over de Arke des verbonds. 4. Viering
van het Loofhutten Feest., page 71
Rough translations:
1. The setting up of the Tabernacle. 2. The
Gold Menorah, the Incense Altar, and the Table of Showbread. 3. The
Magnificant Cherubim over the Ark of the covenant. 4. Celebration of
the Feast of Tabernacles.
Subject: 3 views of the building of the Tabernacle, the Ark, the
inside of the Tabernacle, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Page Size: 15" x 18.5" Image Size: 13" x 16.5"
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1. "De binnenhof des Tempels, met het altaar,
en de kopere kolommen." 2. "Inwying van Salomons Tempel." "De Arke
des Verbonds in't Heylige der Heyligen." 4. De gegootene Zee, of het
groot koper waschvat.", Pag. 189
Rough translations:
1. "The inside court of the Temple with the
altar and the copper columns." 2. "Gathering in Solomon's Temple."
3. "The Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies." 4. "The iron Sea
or the great copper wash basin."
Subject: This is one of the more famous illustrations of an artist's
conception of the precincts and interior of the Temple of Solomon
(see Rosenau, Vision of the Temple, p. 96, 116 - "Perhaps the
most interesting personal interpretation of Villalpando's
prototypes..." - She seems to be unaware of this earlier, 1704
rendition.); notable, among other things are the hoofed cherubim
(following the image of Villalpando). Other artists who copied this
image changed the hoofs to human feet.
Page Size: 15" x 19" Image Size: 13" x 16.5"
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Pompejus neemt den Tempel te Ierusalem
Stormenderhand in., Pag. 337
Rough translation:
"Pompey captures the Temple in Jerusalem
storming in."
Subject: This is an incredibly detailed attempt to portray the
attack of Pompey on Jerusalem. There is an attempt at making the
soldiers realistic, but the helmets seem to be 17th C. European.
Page Size: 15" x 18.5" Image Size: 12.75" x 16.5" Condition:
wonderful, dark impression with no problem worth mentioning except
possibly that the left original fold is a bit doubled
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Herodes Beoorlogt de Roovers inde Rotsen door
Soldaaten die in Kisten aan yzere kettingen hangende door windassen
neergelaaten worden.
P. Mortier edit Cum Privileg. Pag. 355
Rough Translation: Herod waging war the [?] on the Rock Cliffs by
the Soldiers hanging by boxes suspended by iron chains coming down
on [?] the people below [?].
Relevant Passage from Josephus: Unclear to me. [Any information
would be appreciated.]
Condition: Image is like mint except for a rust hole on the right
side (see image) and a tear on a fold (a bit into the image) which
accounts for the low price; margins have no significant problems.
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"Doorsicht van den Tempel tot Ierusalem
Niewlicks uyt Josephus afgebeelt door I. H. Coccejus.
Page. 658; a legend at the left from A-S with
appropriate labeling on the view and labels in Dutch for the four
directions.
Rough translation:
"Transparent view of the Temple of
Jerusalem ... from Josephus accourding to the depiction of I. H.
Coccejus..." [with fold-up flap! but probably not by Luyken]
Subject: This is an early and rare example of an engraving with a
fold-up flap (in the center). The door to the woman's court folds to
reveal a staircase. If this engraving can be found at all, it may
very well be missing the flap.
Page Size: 16" x 18.25" Image Size: 13.25" x 15.5"
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De Uyterste verdelging van de Stad Jerusalem
en den Tempel. Pag. 689
Rough translation:
"The Total destruction of the City of
Jerusalem and of the Temple." [This is one of the most
powerful and dramatic examples of his work.]
Subject: This is an incredibly detailed and dramatic rendition of
the destruction of the Temple by Roman soldiers. It is done with
great vigor and power and emotional intensity. There is an attempt
at making the soldiers realistic, but the helmets seem to be 17th C.
European.
Page Size: 15" x 18.5" Image Size: 12.75" x 16.5"
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