Plate 12: Joshua Mutilates his Enemies' Horses, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament' 1585 - 1615

Antonio Tempesta created this print, "Plate 12: Joshua Mutilates his Enemies' Horses," as part of 'The Battles of the Old Testament.' Produced in Italy, sometime around 1600, this print illustrates a scene of conflict and domination rooted in religious text. Beyond the immediate depiction of warfare, the image speaks to the prevailing social order. Horses were symbols of power and wealth. By mutilating them, Joshua isn't just defeating an army, he's dismantling their infrastructure and social standing. Tempesta’s choice to depict this brutal act reflects the values of his time, a period marked by religious wars and stark social hierarchies. The institutions of the church and state often intertwined, using art to reinforce their dominance. To fully understand this print, we need to look at the history of warfare, religious conflicts, and the symbolism of animals in 17th-century European culture. The resources available in museum archives and libraries can help us contextualize the ways that political and religious institutions influenced artistic production.