Absalom Killing Amnon from "The Story of Absalom and Tamar"

Expand

IIIFView PDF

Absalom Killing Amnon from "The Story of Absalom and Tamar"

Artist Heinrich Aldegrever (German, 1502-ca.1561)

Date1540

DimensionsH: 4 5/8 in. (12 cm); W: 3 in. (7.7 cm)

MediumEngraving.

ClassificationPrints

Object number

1925.28

Not on View

Label TextAccording to the Bible, Amnon, the oldest son of King David of Israel, raped his half-sister Tamar. In revenge, Absalom, the third son of King David and Tamar’s full brother, sent his servants to kill Amnon during a feast of all the king’s sons. In this dramatic print, with the dagger about to be thrust into Amnon’s back, Heinrich Aldegrever has placed the weapon in the hand of Absalom himself. A servant with a sword assists in the deed.