Attributed to Abraham van DIEPENBECK (1596-1675) - Lot 23

Attributed to Abraham van DIEPENBECK (1596-1675) King Josiah orders the destruction of the Temple of Baal and the murder of the priests of Baal. Panel. 54.5 x 39.8 cm The story of King Josiah is described in the Second Book of Kings (2 Kings 22-24). Presented as a king faithful to the example of his forefather David, he wished to return to an exclusively monotheistic cult. King Josiah, after discovering the Book of the Law, turned "with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his strength" (2 Kings 23, 25) to the one God. This is how we should understand the subject of the destruction of Baal's temple and the murder of its priests. Various engravings after Maarten van Heemskerck, notably by Philippe Galle, bear witness to the circulation of this subject in 17th-century Holland.