Plate 24: The Israelites Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament' 1585 - 1615

Antonio Tempesta made this print, "The Israelites Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem," around 1600 using etching and engraving. It's part of a series called 'The Battles of the Old Testament' and presents a biblical scene through the lens of late Renaissance Italy. Tempesta collapses time, mingling the ancient Israelites with the visual culture of his era. The architecture and tools used reflect 16th-century building practices, blending the sacred past with his contemporary world. This wasn't just about illustrating scripture; it reflected the period's interest in civic duty and reconstruction, mirroring efforts to rebuild and fortify cities in Europe. Prints like these circulated widely, influencing perceptions of history and faith. To fully understand this image, we might look at architectural manuals of the period, or civic records detailing building projects. Art history is, in this way, inseparable from social and institutional history.