The Plague of Locusts – Apocalypse by Jean Le Clerc
CE QUI ADUINT APRES LE SON DE LA 5e TROMPETTE
Translation from the French: What happens after the sound of the fifth trumpet
This imagery and text directly reference Revelation 9:1–5, where the fifth trumpet unleashes a plague of apocalyptic locusts from the Abyss. These locusts torment humans without killing them, symbolized here by the monstrous creatures emerging from smoke, and the writhing figures of humanity below.
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.
Engraver’s mark (bottom center):
I. le clerc ex
This is the signature of Jean Le Clerc (Latinized: Ioannes Le Clerc), meaning “drawn/engraved by Le Clerc.”
Latin verses (bottom border):
Angelus ut quintus signum dedit aere canoro
Heu saevus gentes undique terror habet
Et barathro horribiles vultuque armisque locustae
Per quinos menses terrea regna premunt
Translation:
When the fifth angel gave the signal with his resounding trumpet,
Alas! Cruel terror seized all nations far and wide.
And from the abyss came locusts, dreadful in face and arms,
For five months they afflicted the kingdoms of the earth.