This is a drawing showing a group of armored horsemen and a figure entangled in a tree. The central figure appears caught in the branches of a tree by their head or hair. Nearby, mounted soldiers with long spears are riding energetically towards the figure. The soldiers wear helmets with crests and armor typical of classical or medieval periods. The background shows rolling hills and sparse foliage. The image features fine line work, intricate details, and careful shading, resembling an etching or engraving. Below the scene, there is a block of text in an old script referencing 2 Samuel 18:8 from the Bible.
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This is a drawing showing a group of armored horsemen and a figure entangled in a tree. The central figure appears caught in the branches of a tree by their head or hair. Nearby, mounted soldiers with long spears are riding energetically towards the figure. The soldiers wear helmets with crests and armor typical of classical or medieval periods. The background shows rolling hills and sparse foliage. The image features fine line work, intricate details, and careful shading, resembling an etching or engraving. Below the scene, there is a block of text in an old script referencing 2 Samuel 18:8 from the Bible.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Absalom Slain by Joab

Augustin Hirschvogel

Date
1548
Medium
etching
Classification
Print
Accession number
1950.17.122
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1501 to 1550
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
Old and New Testaments Concordance [1950.17.96-194]

Subjects and terms

  • Death
  • Horse
  • Danube
  • Costume
  • Weapons
  • Figures

NGA object ID 39353. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.