Victory of the Lord over the Beast – Apocalypse by Jean Le Clerc
VICTOIRE DU SEIGNEUR CONTRE LA BESTE ET LES SIENS
Translation: Victory of the Lord Over the Beast and His Followers
This engraving draws from Revelation 19:11–21, depicting the final battle where Christ, as the rider on the white horse, defeats the beast and his armies. The “Word of the Lord” symbolizes divine authority. The imagery of the slain being fed to birds mirrors the angel’s call in verse 17–18 for the birds to feast on the flesh of kings and warriors.
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.
Impia dispergunt maledicti cuncta Draconis
Agmina: iam pene te draco sæve premunt
Et verbum Domini penes est victoria laetis
Plaufibus esca avibus turba profana iacet
Translation:
The impious hordes of the cursed Dragon are scattered,
Now, savage dragon, they almost have you crushed.
The Word of the Lord brings victory to the joyful,
The profane crowd lies as prey for the birds, to applause.
I. le clerc ex
This is the signature of Jean Le Clerc (Latinized: Ioannes Le Clerc), meaning “drawn/engraved by Le Clerc.”
Condition: trimmed at bottom.