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By BLOME, Richard [after Nicolaes BERCHEM] , 1690
£800
BUY

Ierusalem.

Asia Israel
  • Author: BLOME, Richard [after Nicolaes BERCHEM]
  • Publication place: London,
  • Publisher: [Samuel Roycroft],
  • Publication date: 1689 [but 1690].
  • Physical description: Engraved plan, hand-coloured, surrounded by 12 insets. Maps 800
  • Dimensions: 401 by 521mm. (15.75 by 20.5 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 16884

Notes

This aerial view of Jerusalem, based on Juan Bautista Villalpando's seminal plan of the Holy City, serves as an effective illustration for Blome's translation of Fontaine's 'History of the Old and New Testament'. For a full description of the original plan, see item 606. Although the central image of the city itself is drawn after Villalpando, the border decorations are predominantly taken from Nicolaes Berchem's plan, included in the great Elzevir French Bible of 1669. Blome has, however, removed the plan of Ezekiel's Temple, replaced by a dedication, and has replaced the Bronze Laver, where the priests would ritually wash their hands, with a view of Solomon's Temple.

Flanking the view are two statuesque figures of King Solomon and The High Priest, above which are a series of vignettes depicting the various holy objects found within the Temple at Jerusalem, namely the Altar of Perfumes, the Ark of Alliance, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Candelabra. In the centre a broad view of the Temple itself appears, again drawn after Villalpando.

Along the lower border are four more vignettes showing the Altar of Burnt Offerings and the Brazen Sea, as well as an isometric view of Solomon's Temple and an image of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Blome has also made the addition of a numerical key in the upper corners of the view; corresponding numbers across the image identify particular points of interest, such as the Tomb of David, the Inner Hall of the Temple, and the city's great gates. Outside the walls of Jerusalem, Mount Calvary is labelled, but is shown without the three crucifixes that feature on so many other maps and views.

The plate would go on to appear, perhaps via Blome, in future publications such as the Keur Bible of 1714 (item 631) and Senex's 'Sacred Geography' of 1716 (item 633).

Bibliography

  1. Laor, 958.
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