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Elisha Cursing the Children of Bethel Who Are Being Devoured by the Bears, 1602. Creator
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Elisha Cursing the Children of Bethel Who Are Being Devoured by the Bears, 1602. Creator
Elisha Cursing the Children of Bethel Who Are Being Devoured by the Bears, 1602. 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 Lords 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
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Media ID 19619211
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1571 1656 Nicolaes De Bruyn Nicolaes De Bruyn Netherlandish Gillis Van Coninxloo Netherlandish
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This 17th-century engraving titled "Elisha Cursing the Children of Bethel Who Are Being Devoured by the Bears" captures a dramatic scene from the Old Testament. Created by Gillis van Coninxloo, a Netherlandish artist, this print depicts an obscure yet morally significant event described in the second Book of Kings. The Latin inscription at the bottom corner quotes chapter two of 2 Kings (2:23-24), recounting how Elisha, a Hebrew prophet, encountered children from Bethel who mocked him for his bald head. In response to their disrespect, Elisha cursed them in the name of God. Shockingly, two she-bears emerged from the woods and attacked all 42 children, resulting in their demise. Beyond its biblical narrative, this artwork serves as an inexpensive substitute for paintings during that era. It approximates both size and tonal range similar to those found in Coninxloo's paintings. The print likely aimed to make art more accessible to a wider audience. Aside from its artistic value, this image also conveys an important moral lesson – respect for old age. By showcasing Elisha's curse upon disrespectful youth and their subsequent punishment by divine intervention, it emphasizes society's obligation to honor and revere elders. Currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art under Heritage Art/Heritage Images' collection, this engraving offers viewers a glimpse into religious narratives depicted through visual art during the 17th century Netherland
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