The Tower of Babel
Original title: The Tower of Babel
kurzbeschreibung
Anton Joseph von Prenner captured the Tower of Babel in an undated etching done in line technique. The print draws on the biblical narrative. It shows the unfinished tower surrounded by many workers, set within an expansive landscape.
Description
A massive, unfinished tower rises in several storeys, pierced by windows and smaller turrets. Tiny figures are scattered all around: some labour at the construction, others stand together in small groups. Behind the tower a landscape opens up with hills, rivers and further buildings. The layout is symmetrical, with the tower dominating the image; the small people make its monumental size stand out. The artist's signature appears at the bottom right.
Context
Prenner, an eighteenth-century Austrian copper engraver, was prized for his detailed reproductions. The etching was probably made in the first half of the eighteenth century, a time when biblical subjects were common in printmaking. The motif belongs to the iconographic tradition of the Tower of Babel as described in Genesis, and interprets the tower as a sign of human pride.
Impact
The even distribution of light and the precise linework give the sheet a calm, matter-of-fact mood. The oversized dimensions of the tower compared with the tiny people create a monumentality that holds the viewer's gaze.
Technique
In this etching the lines are incised into an etched plate. The monochrome grey scale comes from varying the density and spacing of the lines, which model depth and texture. The fine details and exact execution testify to the artist's high level of craftsmanship.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)