The Fall of the Stars and Terror of Kings – Apocalypse by Jean Le Clerc
CHEUTE DES ESTOILLES ET FRAYEUR DES ROIS
Translation: The Fall of the Stars and the Terror of the Kings
This image illustrates Revelation 6:12–17, where the sixth seal is opened, unleashing cosmic upheaval: a great earthquake, the sun becomes black, the moon turns to blood, and the stars fall from the sky like figs from a tree. In terror, the kings of the earth and all people hide in caves, calling on the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. The engraving shows falling stars, celestial darkness, and people cowering in fear on the earth.
Circa 1600-1630
Born: 1587 or 88 - Died: 1633
Dimensions: Approx 13.5 x 17.5 cm.
Jean Le Clerc (1587/88–1633) was a French Baroque painter and etcher from Nancy, in the Duchy of Lorraine. Trained under the Venetian master Carlo Saraceni, Le Clerc developed a tenebrist style characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. While only a few of his paintings survive, his numerous etchings and engravings have been preserved, showcasing his skill in depicting religious themes with luminous detail.
The Book of Revelation or Book of the Apocalypse is the final book of the New Testament. Written in Koine Greek, its title is derived from the first word of the text: apokalypsis, meaning ‘unveiling’ or ‘revelation’. The author names himself as simply “John” in the text, but his precise identity remains uncertain. The book is also known as the “Revelation to John”, or “Apocalypse of St. John” and begins with a series of visions he received on the island of Patmos and wrote down in a cave on that island in the Agean.
I. le clerc ex
This is the signature of Jean Le Clerc (Latinized: Ioannes Le Clerc), meaning “drawn/engraved by Le Clerc.”
Note on Condition: Right and bottom borders have been cut off, including the biblical verses that would have appeared at the bottom.