The Ascension of Elijah - Moses ter Borch

A dramatic 1661 study by Moses ter Borch depicting the biblical ascension of Elijah, rendered in chalk and wash on blue paper.

This drawing by Moses ter Borch depicts the biblical narrative of the prophet Elijah being taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Executed in 1661, the work demonstrates the artist's technical command over the medium of chalk and wash on blue paper. The composition is divided between the earthly realm, where Elisha kneels with arms outstretched in awe, and the celestial sphere above, occupied by the horses and the chariot.

Ter Borch employs white heightening to create a sense of luminosity, particularly on the figures of the horses and the billowing clouds that support the chariot. The use of blue paper provides a mid-tone ground that allows the artist to balance dark, expressive chalk strokes with lighter, ethereal highlights. This approach creates a sense of movement and drama, capturing the suddenness of the miraculous event. The figure of Elisha is rendered with economy, his posture conveying the weight of the moment as he witnesses the departure of his master.

As a member of the prominent Ter Borch family of artists, Moses showed significant promise before his premature death at the age of twenty-two. His drawings often reflect the stylistic conventions of the Dutch Golden Age, yet they possess a personal touch in their fluid handling of line and light. This particular study reflects a keen interest in narrative clarity and the dramatic potential of biblical themes. The work remains a fine example of seventeenth-century Dutch draftsmanship, where the interaction between shadow and light serves to define both form and atmosphere. The inclusion of the date in the upper right corner confirms its origin during a period of intense artistic activity for the young draughtsman, offering a glimpse into his developing technical proficiency and his ability to translate complex theological subjects into a concise visual language.