Artwork
The Defeat of Sennacherib
The Defeat of Sennacherib is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Pieter Claesz Soutman. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Defeat of Sennacherib is a drawing by Pieter Claesz Soutman, dated to 1619, executed in black chalk, pen, and black ink with gray wash on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a tumultuous battle scene, conveying intense chaos and struggle through the entwined figures of combatants, one of whom lies on the ground grasping a spear, while others contort in pain or exertion amidst a rearing horse in the background.
Technique & Style
Soutman achieved a sense of urgency and dynamism through quick, expressive lines and the combination of ink and chalk, which imbues the figures with dramatic vitality. The monochromatic palette, enhanced by gray wash, contributes to the overall energetic and rough texture of the work.
History & Provenance
Created in 1619, specific details regarding the drawing's provenance and historical context of creation are not provided in the available information.
Context
The subject matter, The Defeat of Sennacherib, references a biblical event (2 Kings 19:35-37), suggesting the drawing may have been inspired by religious narratives popular in 17th-century European art.
Legacy
The drawing's impact or influence on subsequent artists or its reception over time is not detailed in the provided information.
Artist & collection
