The Old Testament (or Synagogue), from the series of Sibyls 1525 - 1535

Lucas van Leyden created this engraving, "The Old Testament," part of the Sibyls series, sometime before his death in 1533. The composition is dominated by a robust female figure, densely articulated through fine, controlled lines. This lends a tactile quality to the scene. Her blindfold, the tablets of law, and the banner suggest themes of obscured vision and divine authority. The engraving exemplifies a mastery of line to convey texture and form. Notice how the lines create a complex interplay of light and shadow, thus articulating the folds of her garments. The artist has used the linear vocabulary of engraving to convey the weighty presence of the figure and the symbolic objects she holds. Van Leyden’s work engages with early Renaissance humanism, blending classical and Christian motifs. The engraving prompts a discourse on faith, knowledge, and the symbolic representation of law, inviting viewers to consider the relationships between visual form and intellectual content.