The Chaldeans Carrying Away the Pillars of the Temple of Jerusalem, from The Disasters of the Jewish People, plate 17 1510 - 1612

Philips Galle created this engraving, "The Chaldeans Carrying Away the Pillars of the Temple of Jerusalem," sometime before his death in 1612. The image, rendered in precise lines, depicts a scene of destruction and displacement with the meticulous detail characteristic of Galle's style. The temple, a massive, domed structure in the background, looms over the chaotic scene, its detailed columns contrasting with the tumultuous smoke rising around it. The composition is structured to emphasize the Chaldeans' actions, moving from left to right, as they carry away the temple's precious pillars. Galle uses linear perspective to draw our eyes into the heart of the city, emphasizing the depth of the invasion and the scale of the Chaldeans' plunder. The dense hatching creates a sense of movement and energy, while the contrast between light and shadow highlights the drama of the event. Galle’s work destabilizes the established grandeur of the Temple, reducing it to mere spoils of war.