Jephthah and His Daughter

Art Historical Context

This striking print, *Jephthah and His Daughter*, captures a dramatic moment from the biblical Book of Judges. Jephthah, an Israelite leader, vows to sacrifice the first person he meets upon returning victorious from battle—only to encounter his own beloved daughter. The composition conveys both the emotional intensity of their encounter and the tragic weight of the vow, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of duty, sacrifice, and fate. Created around 1745, the work is an etching and engraving produced by publisher Joseph Wagner after a design by the Florentine artist Giuseppe Zocchi. In the eighteenth century, such reproductive prints played a vital role in spreading knowledge of paintings beyond their original locations, allowing wider audiences to study and appreciate important compositions. The combination of etching’s fluid lines and engraving’s precise detail on laid paper enabled rich tonal contrasts and intricate textures that faithfully translate the original painting’s drama. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, this print exemplifies the period’s sophisticated printmaking techniques and the enduring appeal of biblical narratives in European art. Its large scale further suggests it was intended as a display piece, bringing this powerful story into homes and studies across Europe.