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Original fileDe twaalf stamvaders van Israël
About This Work
Two separate panels show full-length figures in classical and orientalizing attire. On the left, Dan stands beside a serpent biting a horse's heel, causing its rider to fall; on the right, Gad is portrayed as a Roman-style warrior surrounded by armor, reflecting his reputation for military prowess. The background features rolling landscapes with distant buildings, including a circular tower behind Gad.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel are central to Christian Hebraism and Kabbalah, where they are frequently mapped onto the twelve signs of the zodiac and the months of the year. Aegidius Sadeler was the court engraver for Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, where biblical history was often synthesized with classical imagery and hermetic philosophy.
Inscriptions(Latin)
DAN 7. Dan factus populi iudex est ut tribus vnis. Cerasti, morsu prendenti posteriora, Caetera collatus in semita Colubro Fortis equi; ascensor quo cadet ipse retro GAD 8. Gad animo magnus belli uirtute probatus Ex me prognatus uates praeclarus Elias Victoris laudes abstulit ense suo Quem currus uiuum igneus eripuit
Translation
DAN 7. Dan is made a judge of the people as one of the tribes. Like a horned snake, biting the heels, Comparing the rest to a serpent on the path Of a strong horse; the rider of which shall fall backward. GAD 8. Gad, great in spirit, proved by the virtue of war, From me sprung the illustrious prophet Elijah, He took away the praises of the victor with his sword, Whom a fiery chariot snatched away alive.
Connected Texts
Genesis 49
The imagery for Dan (the serpent biting the horse's heel) and Gad (the warrior) is a literal illustration of Jacob's deathbed blessings to his sons.
Sefer Yetzirah
This foundational Kabbalistic text associates the twelve tribes of Israel with the twelve signs of the zodiac and twelve human faculties.
Provenance & Source
Object
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
paper
height 222 mm x width 307 mm
religious
Linked Data
AI AI-cataloged fields generated by gemini-3-flash-preview on April 2, 2026. Getty identifiers are AI-inferred and may require verification.