Jaël en Sisera

Jael kneels over Sisera, who lies in a deep sleep in his armor amidst classical ruins. She raises a wooden mallet high, preparing to strike the peg she holds against his head. In the background, soldiers are seen fleeing a city, representing the defeat of the Canaanite army.

This work belongs to the 'Power of Women' (Weibermacht) iconographic tradition, which warned of the subversion of male authority by female cunning. It is a premier example of Haarlem Mannerism, showcasing the stylistic influence of Hendrik Goltzius through its dramatic lighting, elongated figures, and exaggerated musculature.