The drunkenness of Lot, who is asleep on his daughter's lap at center, while his other daughter points towards the burning city of Sodom at left

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created around 1628 by Orazio Gentileschi and Lucas Vorsterman I, captures a dramatic moment from the biblical story of Lot and his daughters following the destruction of Sodom. Gentileschi, a leading figure in the Italian Baroque movement and follower of Caravaggio, designed the composition, while Vorsterman, a skilled Flemish printmaker, translated it into this detailed engraving. The scene centers on the sleeping Lot, supported by one daughter, as the other gestures toward the burning city, highlighting themes of survival, temptation, and divine judgment. As an engraving, this work exemplifies the important role of reproductive prints in the 17th century. Such prints allowed paintings by major artists like Gentileschi to reach wider audiences across Europe, preserving and popularizing dramatic Baroque compositions characterized by strong contrasts and emotional intensity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, it offers viewers a window into how biblical narratives were interpreted through the lens of early modern artistic collaboration.