Catalog Archive
Auction 124, Lot 631

"[Lot of 2] Ende het Geschiede als sy Tegend't Oosten Togen… [and] Doe quam de Heere Neder om de Stadten Toren…", Goeree, Willelm & Jan

Subject: Iraq

Period: 1700 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
25.5 x 11 inches
64.8 x 27.9 cm
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This matched pair of engravings illustrate the building of the Tower of Babel as described in chapter 11 of the Book of Genesis. The enormous tower was intended as the crowning achievement of the city that united humanity after the Great Flood. The first engraving shows the tower rising from the valley floor amidst an incredible scene of the building trades all working together in harmony. The second scene shows the completed tower with its top shrouded in the clouds and a chaotic scene surrounding. Because the tower had not been built for worship, but instead for the glorification of the builders, God confused their common language. Both engravings are printed on two joined sheets, with folds as issued.

References:

Condition: A

There is some faint foxing on version one and in blank margins. There are a couple of repaired tears and fold separations in the blank margins.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $650

Closed on 5/7/2008

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