Artwork
Tyrants of the Old Testament: Nebuchadnezzar
Tyrants of the Old Testament: Nebuchadnezzar is a print by Georg Pencz. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1535 engraving by Georg Pencz portrays Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king from the Old Testament, as part of a series highlighting tyrannical rulers.
Subject & Meaning
Nebuchadnezzar is depicted in a fierce, kneeling pose, armed with a sword and spear, conveying his tyrannical nature. The image may allude to his eventual downfall, as referenced in biblical accounts.
Technique & Style
The engraving showcases Pencz's fusion of Northern Renaissance techniques, learned from Albrecht Dürer's workshop, with Venetian influences acquired during his travels to Italy. Notable are the detailed, sharp renderings of the king's spiky crown and patterned armor.
History & Provenance
Created around 1535 by Georg Pencz, a versatile German artist, the work reflects the cultural exchange between Northern European and Italian artistic traditions of the time. Its current location is The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Georg Pencz (c. 1500 – 11 October 1550) was a German engraver, painter and printmaker. Pencz was probably born in Westheim near Bad Windsheim/Franconia. He travelled to Nuremberg in 1523 and joined Albrecht Dürer’s…
