Ibzan and Jephthah - Hans Collaert the Elder

A hand-coloured copperplate engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder, depicting the biblical figures Ibzan and Jephthah with historical detail.

This hand-coloured engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder depicts two figures from the Book of Judges: Ibzan of Bethlehem and Jephthah. Collaert, a member of a prominent family of engravers based in Antwerp, produced this work as part of a series illustrating biblical narratives. The composition follows the conventions of sixteenth-century printmaking, where figures are presented in a clear, didactic manner against a background that provides context for their respective stories.

On the left, Ibzan is shown in a gesture of peace, reflecting his role as a judge who governed Israel for seven years. His attire is rendered with attention to the folds of his robes, a hallmark of the period's print style. To the right, Jephthah is depicted in military armour, holding a sword. This choice of costume refers to his role as a warrior who led the Israelites against the Ammonites. In the background, a small scene shows a sacrificial altar, alluding to the vow Jephthah made before his battle. The text at the bottom of the plate provides a summary of their lives in Latin and French, which was common for educational or devotional books of the era.

The application of colour, likely added after the initial printing, follows the aesthetic preferences of the time, using distinct hues to separate the figures from the landscape. The engraving technique relies on precise lines to define the anatomy and the textures of the clothing. This work offers a view into the visual culture of the Low Countries during the late sixteenth century, where biblical history was frequently interpreted through the lens of contemporary fashion and military dress. The print remains a record of how these ancient narratives were visualised for a European audience during the Renaissance.