Jael and Sisera
Albrecht Altdorfer · 1520/25 · Art Institute of Chicago
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From the museum
Albrecht Altdorfer depicted the biblical heroine Jael, who killed Sisera, the captain of the king of Canaan’s army, in order to deliver Israel from his troops. She welcomed Sisera to her home when he and his soldiers were fleeing from battle and offered him food and drink. When he fell asleep, she drove a tent spike through his skull so deeply that it pierced the ground below. Jael was heralded and blessed for enabling Israel’s victory.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC BY 4.0
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Details
- Maker
- Albrecht Altdorfer, German, c. 1480-1538
- Date
- 1520/25
- Medium
- Woodcut in black on ivory laid paper
- Dimensions
- Image/block: 7.2 × 4.8 cm (2 7/8 × 1 15/16 in.); Sheet: 12.3 × 9.5 cm (4 7/8 × 3 3/4 in.)
- Place of origin
- Germany
- Held by
- Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · Not on view
- Credit line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer
Image: Art Institute of Chicago, CC0
