The destruction of the altar at Bethel and the exhumation of the bones from the sepulchres 1567 - 1570

This engraving, "The destruction of the altar at Bethel and the exhumation of the bones from the sepulchres" was created by Philips Galle in 1567-1570. The scene depicts the destruction of a pagan altar by King Josiah, as described in the Second Book of Kings in the Bible. A group of men are shown smashing the altar, while others dig up the bones of the dead and burn them. The engraving is a powerful visual representation of the religious conflict that existed in 16th century Europe. The dynamic composition and detailed figures are typical of the Northern Renaissance style. The artwork is a fine example of the "History" genre in art, which aimed to illustrate important historical events and stories.