Bidspirit auction | Original 18th-Century Copper Engraving –

Original 18th-Century Copper Engraving – “The Walls of Jerusalem Are Rebuilt Under Guard” | Jan Luyken (design) & Christoph Weigel (engraving) | From the Biblia Germanica, Zurich, 1712 - A powerful early 18th-century copperplate engraving illustrating the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under armed guard, as described in the Book of Nehemiah, Chapter 4. The scene was designed by the renowned Dutch artist Jan Luyken (1649–1712) and engraved by Christoph Weigel (1654–1725) for the 1712 Zurich edition of the Biblia Germanica. The image vividly captures the dual spirit of labor and vigilance: Jewish builders reconstructing Jerusalem’s fortifications after the Babylonian exile, holding tools in one hand and weapons in the other. Behind them, towers, scaffolding, and defenders bring the ancient city to life in a dynamic composition of faith and resilience. The Latin verse below reads: “Una manus calcem, gestat manus altera ferrum…” — “One hand carries mortar, the other carries iron; they fight, they build; thus the work prospers well. The soldier rightly builds a temple for God — he must keep watch in this place of the city.” 📜 Designer: Jan Luyken (1649–1712) 🖋 Engraver: Christoph Weigel (1654–1725) 📗 Source: Biblia Germanica, Zurich, 1712 📖 Subject: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4) 🖨 Technique: Copperplate engraving 📏 Dimensions: 23.5 × 29 cm 📑 Condition: Very good, strong impression, wide margins A striking Baroque biblical engraving symbolizing the unity of faith, defense, and rebuilding — an inspiring visual testament to perseverance and devotion.