De voorstelling van Den Boeck: Mozes met de kinderen van Israël, 1577 1577 - 1578

Antoni van Leest made this woodcut, Moses with the children of Israel, in 1577. It depicts a scene from the Old Testament, rendered during a time of great upheaval. Van Leest worked in the Netherlands during the Dutch Revolt, when the region was in open rebellion against Spanish rule. In this context, biblical imagery took on new political meanings. Note the figures huddled behind what looks like a barricade. In the foreground we see Moses, who is leading his people to safety. Beside him, a figure with a shovel could be interpreted as a common laborer. We see that he is working to build a new society. Are these the Israelites, or are they the Dutch people? It would have been impossible for viewers at the time not to see a parallel between the two. Historians of the book can tell us more about the context in which this image appeared. By understanding the original location of the artwork, we can better understand the artist’s intention and the public role of his art.