Jephthah's daughter kneeling by the sacrificial altar, with her father standing at right
Medium
Etching and engraving
Dimensions
Sheet (Trimmed): 19 13/16 × 14 3/16 in. (50.3 × 36 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951
Accession Number
51.501.2825
Art Historical Context
This striking print captures a pivotal moment from the Old Testament story of Jephthah, a military leader who vowed to sacrifice the first living thing he encountered upon returning victorious from battle—only to be met by his beloved daughter. She kneels in quiet resignation beside the altar, while her father stands at the right, his posture conveying both authority and inner turmoil. Created between 1730 and 1750, the work reflects the 18th-century fascination with dramatic biblical narratives that explored themes of faith, duty, and human emotion. Pietro Monaco, working after designs assoc...