Plate 22: Josaphat Thanking God for His Victory, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament'

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th to early 17th century, Italian artist Antonio Tempesta, renowned for his dynamic depictions of battles and hunts in the Mannerist style, *Plate 22: Josaphat Thanking God for Victory*, part of his expansive series *The Battles of the Old*. Collaborating with Flemish publisher Nicolaus van Ael, Tempesta produced this etching around 1590–1610, a pivotal biblical moment from 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshat of Judah leads his people in gratitude after a divine victory over invading armies, with musicians playing instruments amid triumphant men and rearing horses, blending reverence with exuberant celebration. Etching, the medium here, allowed for intricate details in a reproducible print format—ideal for disseminating grand historical and religious narratives to a wider audience beyond elite patrons. Tempesta's energetic compositions, filled with swirling figures and lively animals, reflect the era's fascination with Old Testament heroism, evoking both spiritual triumph and the spectacle of warfare. Measuring 7 7/8 × 10 7/8 inches, this sheet from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection exemplifies how prints bridged art and devotion during the Counter-Reformation, inspiring viewers with faith-fueled resilience.

About the Artist

Antonio Tempesta|Nicolaus van Aelst · 1555–1630

Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), known as 'Il Tempestino,' was a Florentine painter and printmaker whose extraordinary output of approximately 1,700 etchings made him one of the most influential printmakers of the early Baroque period. Born in Florence and trained under Santi di Tito and the Flemish master Joannes Stradanus, he enrolled in the Accademia del Disegno in 1576 before relocating to Rome i...