Josephus door een steen geraakt 1785

Theodoor Koning created this print, "Josephus hit by a stone," using etching around the late 18th century. It depicts a scene from the life of Josephus, the first-century Romano-Jewish historian. Prints like this one played an important role in shaping historical narratives for a wide public. The Rijksmuseum, as a national institution, has an interest in defining and preserving cultural heritage through artworks like this. In Koning’s image, we see Josephus in a moment of crisis, the architecture of Jerusalem looming behind him. The image constructs meaning through its references to classical art and biblical history, common in European art of this period. Prints such as these offer insights into the values and beliefs of the Dutch Republic and how they saw themselves in relation to ancient history and religious stories. To fully appreciate this work, historians turn to period texts, and the study of the history of the book to deepen our understanding. The meaning of art always depends on its social and institutional context.