Artwork
Plate 9: Asher
Plate 9: Asher is a print by the Renaissance artist Jacob de Gheyn II. It dates from 1589 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print is part of a series depicting the twelve sons of Jacob, each associated with an attribute and costume that reflects their character.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represented is Asher, holding a basket of potatoes and a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing the fertility and abundance of the land allocated to his tribe according to biblical prophecy.
History & Provenance
The print was created in the Netherlands during the late 16th century, a period when biblical figures were often used as exemplars of virtues such as fortitude and patience.
Context
The series is rooted in the Old Testament narrative where Jacob blesses his twelve sons, foretelling their destinies and assigning them land in Canaan.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob de Gheyn II was a Dutch painter and engraver, whose work shows the transition from Northern Mannerism to Dutch realism over the course of his career.
![The Farnese Hercules, seen from behind [plate 4], by François Perrier](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/francois-perrier--the-farnese-hercules-seen-from-behind-plate-4--075576b9459929be-w320.webp)
