Mortier’s Bible.
Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament : enrichie de plus de quatre cens figures en taille-douce, &c.
This blog post will present on the L’Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament also known as bible Mortier. A publishing project of the early 18th century. This post will explore a bit on the depiction of Daniel in the book and identity of the Huguenot Diaspora.
By Innocentia
| Title | L’Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament |
| Date | 1700 |
| Language | French |
| Source | Diocesain Center Besancon https://archive.org/details/gri_33125011074834/page/n13/mode/2up |
| Format | Online, PDF, Hard copy |
| Place | Amsterdam |
| Edition | Tome premier |
| Publisher | Pierre Mortier |
| Engravings by | Gilliam van der Gouwen, Jacobus Baptist, Abraham de Blois and Joseph Mulder after designs by Jan Goeree; title vignette by Ottmar Elliger |
Martin David was a French Protestant, theologian and a bible scholar. Because of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes that was passed in 1598, He fled to the Netherlands as a result of the constant persecution of the huguenots.
Where he became an influential pastor and editor. He published a new testament of our Lord Jesus Christ explained by short and clear notes. In 1700 he carried out a different project in making the edition L’Histoire du Vieux et du Nouveau Testament.
In 1707 he worked on the revision of the Geneva bible. He modernized the language, clarified verses and added theological and critical annotations which received mixed opinions . Some critized his freedom of Translation while others praised his clarity.
Mortier’s Bible
The history of Mortier’s Old and New Testaments from 1700 is best understood as a luxuriously illustrated Protestant biblical story intended for a wealthy French-speaking Protestant reader, likely part of the Huguenot diaspora in the Dutch Republic and beyond. Its material and graphic richness suggests it was meant for both devotional teaching and social display, rather than academic scholarship or mass use. As such, it reflects the religious, cultural, and social dynamics of its time: exile, print trade, visual religion, and elite identity.
The edition is accompanied by illustrations giving it an additional description of enrichie de plus de quatre cens figures en taille-douce. The illustrations are mostly large; with two illustrations a page. The book itself is a folio signifying its luxurious status.
In Mortiere’s edition the prophet Daniel is not just a religious figure but a phenomenal iconographic tool to communicate the political and social values of its target audience, the Hugenot diaspora in the Dutch republic. His portrayal is linked to the book’s value signifying elite status.
Depiction Of Daniel in The edition
Daniel is depicted in various key events where he is depicted as a righteous calm saint protected by God even in face of brutal persecution. This can be interpreted as a model for Huguenot audiences who faced exile and hostility as a result of their belief. An engraving shows Daniel sleeping peacefully though surrounded by beasts. He appears calm and unharmed with lions lying obediently around him.
Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
The illustration shows Daniel standing before King Nebuchadnezzar in a court interior. Daniel is placed in a way his gesture seems to indicate that the wisdom he offers comes from God rather than himself. Nebuchadnezzar is seen seated on a grand throne leaning in a mix of anxiety and fascination. The background shows an image of the dream itself, shown as a figure . the presence of the statue within the space is a visual device that turns the prophecy a reality for the viewer. As explained by Daniel the meaning of the dream to the King, the statue’s standing position symbolizes the succession of the empires as explained by Daniel.
Bibliography
“L’Histoire Du Vieux Et Du Nouveau Testament Avec Des Explications Édifiantes Tirées Des S.S. Pères Par Le Sieur De Royaumont, Prieur De Sombreval, Amsterdam, Pays-Bas, 17e Siècle, 4e Quart | Musée D’art Et D’histoire Du Judaïsme.” Musée D’Art Et D’Histoire Du Judaïsme, 13 Oct. 2022, www.mahj.org/fr/decouvrir-collections-betsalel/lhistoire-du-vieux-et-du-nouveau-testament-avec-des-explications.
“Martin, David From the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia.” McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia Online, www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/M/martin-david.html.
Martin1707. sites.google.com/view/martin1707.
