Artwork
Lot and his Daughters
Lot and his Daughters is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Hendrik Goltzius, a Dutch artist originally from Germany, completed the oil painting *Lot and his Daughters* in 1616. Executed during the later phase of his career, the work belongs to his relatively brief period of painting after a long reputation as an engraver. The canvas is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the biblical episode in which Lot and his two daughters are shown after fleeing Sodom. The figures are presented in an intimate, domestic setting, emphasizing the quiet aftermath rather than the dramatic escape. The inclusion of a cup, bread, grapes and a small dog adds layers of symbolic reference to hospitality and survival.
Technique & Style
Goltzius employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing soft shadows to model the older man’s wrinkled skin and the women’s draped arms. The muted palette and gentle transitions of light create a sense of depth, while the careful rendering of textures—such as the metal cup and the fur of the dog—demonstrates his meticulous draftsmanship.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its Dutch Golden Age collection. Its provenance prior to acquisition is not extensively documented, reflecting the limited number of surviving painted works by Goltzius, who is better known for his prints.
Context
At the time Goltzius turned to painting, the Dutch art scene was shifting toward more naturalistic and narrative-driven works. *Lot and his Daughters* reflects this transition, blending his Northern Mannerist background with emerging Baroque sensibilities, particularly in its use of dramatic lighting and compositional balance.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
