Elisha Cursing the Children of Bethel Who Are Being Devoured by the Bears

1602

after Gillis van Coninxloo

(Netherlandish, 1544–1607)

Culture

Netherlands

Medium

engraving

Support

Cream(3) laid paper

Measurements

Platemark: 46.5 x 58.7 cm (18 5/16 x 23 1/8 in.); Sheet: 47.4 x 59.9 cm (18 11/16 x 23 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund 1996.223

Catalogue raisonné

Hollstein 53 (IV.14)

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Location

101A Prints & Drawings

Description

The Latin inscription in the bottom corner of the print quotes chapter two of the second Book of Kings (2 Kings 2:23-24) when the Hebrew prophet, Elisha, came upon the children of the city of Bethel who mocked him for his bald head. In the Lord's name Elisha cursed the children and all 42 were killed by two she-bears who emerged from the woods. This obscure Old Testament subject also illustrates an important moral lesson--old age must be respected. Approximating the size and tonal range of paintings by Coninxloo, prints such as these probably served as inexpensive substitutes for paintings.