Adriaen Collaert (1560-1618) Julius Caesar as the fourth kin...

Estimate

£200 - £300

Adriaen Collaert (1560-1618) Julius Caesar as the fourth king from the vision of Daniel Etching, very strong impression, mounted, framed and glazed measuring 43cm x 46cm, plate mark measures 22.5cm 26cm, vg, thought to be circa 1590's Adriaen Collaert’s "Julius Caesar as the Fourth King from the Vision of Daniel" is part of a series of engravings illustrating key figures from the biblical Book of Daniel's prophetic visions. The artwork aligns Julius Caesar with the fourth beast described in Daniel 7:7, a creature symbolizing a powerful, destructive kingdom that many scholars interpret as the Roman Empire. In this vision, Daniel sees a series of four beasts, each representing a kingdom, and the fourth is the most fearsome, described as “terrifying, frightening and very powerful” with iron teeth and ten horns, often symbolizing Rome’s dominance and its emperors. In Collaert’s engraving, Julius Caesar is depicted in his regal Roman military attire, often adorned with a laurel wreath, signifying his victory and leadership. The figure of Caesar, rendered with intricate line work, stands or sits in a commanding posture, exemplifying his role as the archetype of Roman authority and military might. The engraving draws on classical iconography but also taps into the Christian eschatological tradition, interpreting historical figures through the lens of divine prophecy. The background may include symbols associated with the beast from Daniel’s vision—an element used by Collaert to tie the historical Julius Caesar into the biblical narrative. Architectural or natural elements like stormy skies may suggest divine judgment or the apocalyptic nature of the vision. Collaert’s attention to detail, especially in the engraving’s fine line work and dramatic contrasts, is a hallmark of his Mannerist style, combining religious themes with classical motifs. The piece is part of a broader artistic trend during the Renaissance in which classical history was often reinterpreted through Christian theology. The juxtaposition of Julius Caesar with the fourth beast emphasizes the view of Rome as the final great kingdom before the advent of divine intervention in Christian eschatology. (Greenfield, J. (2019). Daniel in the Renaissance: The Influence of the Book of Daniel in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries. Oxford University Press) This work has not been studied out of its frame