Solomon Building the Temple, from "The Story of Solomon"
Not unlike modern-day construction sites, this Old Testament scene illustrating King Solomon building a temple in Jerusalem showcases the working relationship and strict division of labor between the king-architect, master builder, masons, and carpenters, each equipped with their respective architectural tools. According to descriptions in the Hebrew Bible, the multiethnic workmen principally used locally sourced materials to construct the building that would come to be known as the Temple of Solomon. Netherlandish artist Heemskerck likely used this tenth-century bce subject to make a veiled political reference.
Artwork Details
- Title: Solomon Building the Temple, from "The Story of Solomon"
- Series/Portfolio: The Story of Solomon
- Artist: After Maarten van Heemskerck (Netherlandish, Heemskerck 1498–1574 Haarlem)
- Date: 1554
- Medium: Engraving
- Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/8 × 7 7/8 in. (25.7 × 20 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1966
- Object Number: 66.613.16
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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