Plate 21: The Angel of the Lord Vanquishing the Army of Sennacherib, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament' 1585 - 1615

Antonio Tempesta created this engraving, Plate 21: The Angel of the Lord Vanquishing the Army of Sennacherib, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament', with the use of dark ink on paper. The density of lines creates a chaotic battlefield scene, full of contrast and a dramatic clash between divine intervention and human conflict. Tempesta masterfully organizes the composition, drawing our eye from the foreground's fallen soldiers to the tumultuous midground, filled with battling figures on horseback. Above, the angel descends amidst a fiery sky, a visual representation of divine power breaking into the earthly realm. The detailed rendering of bodies, drapery, and weaponry, combined with the print's dynamic energy, evoke a sense of overwhelming force and divine judgment. The strategic use of line and tone structures a narrative that goes beyond simple illustration; it evokes broader themes of justice and retribution. This engraving is not just a depiction of a biblical battle but an exploration of the formal and thematic tensions between the earthly and the divine.