1613
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Jacob Kills Absalom, Son of King David is a 1613 ink by Antonio Tempesta, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a chaotic battle scene with lots of figures tangled together. At the center, a man on horseback swings a sword wildly, while another man clings to a horse’s leg. Around them, soldiers fight with spears and shields, and horses rear up in panic. The ground is messy with fallen bodies and scattered weapons. Notice how the artist packed every inch with action—even small corners have figures. The text below is in Latin, hinting at a story about betrayal and revenge. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Tempesta carved this level of detail.
Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp.
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