Gilliam van der Gouwen, “Gideon's Battle with the Midianites”, pub. 1728, after Gerard Hoet

Gilliam van der Gouwen (also known as Willem van der Gouwen) (circa 1657–1716)

“Gideon's Battle with the Midianites”, published 1728

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with engraving on fine laid paper, featuring full margins and the publication’s central vertical fold professionally flattened. To guarantee long-term preservation, the sheet has been expertly stabilised and backed with a supportive, archival-quality sheet of Japanese washi paper.

The impression is richly inked, crisp, and evenly pulled. The strength of line and lack of wear to the plate indicate that this is a very early, fresh impression from the defining 1728 print run. Aside from minor handling marks in the margins, the sheet remains in excellent condition with no staining, foxing, or structural issues.

Art-Historical Context:

The composition is executed after a foundational drawing by Gerard Hoet I (also known as Gerard Hoedt, 1648–1733). It was published in 1728 in The Hague (In's Graavenhaage) by Pieter de Hondt (1696–1764) as a double-page centrefold illustration between pages 174 and 175 of the monumental work: “Taferelen der voornaamste geschiedenissen van het Oude en Nieuwe Testament...” (Scenes from the principal histories of the Old and New Testaments...)

The highly dynamic scene dramatically captures the chaotic climax of the biblical narrative found in Judges 7:16–22. Gideon's elite force of 300 Israelites descends on the Midianite camp under cover of night, triggering mass panic by simultaneously sounding their horns, smashing clay jars, and brandishing blazing torches. Reflecting the grand international scale of De Hondt’s publication, the multi-lingual title is lettered below the image in six languages: Hebrew, Latin, French, English, German, and Dutch.

An online digitised version of this exact print in its original publication context can be explored via Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/taferelendervoor00goul/page/n379/mode/2up

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 36.6 x 54.5 cm
• Platemark: 36.2 x 43.8 cm
• Image: 32.8 x 42.3 cm

References:

• Rijksmuseum: Object number RP-P-1904-2811— https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200197867

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “G. Hoet del.”
• Centre: “Judicum VII: 16–22/ [Multilingual titles in two columns]
• Right: “G. van der Gouwen Sculps.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$289 (approx. US$205.91 / €177.46 / £151.88, subject to daily exchange rates). Price fully includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in acquiring this remarkably dramatic, large-scale Baroque night battle scene, please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. A secure, fully protected PayPal invoice will be generated to ensure a seamless transaction.

This print has been sold