The Family Of Enoch

Flemish school of the 17th century, by Raphael Sadeler

The family of Enoch

Oil on canvas, cm 49 x 115

With frame cm 68 x 134

The painting in question, which is an engraving by Johannes I (Jan) Sadeler (Brussels, 1550 - Venice, 1600), depicts the episode narrated in Genesis. Born in Brussels, Jan Sadeler belonged to a family that had been successful in the production, publishing and distribution of prints. Jan was the first to practice the art of the bulino.

Enoch and his family, consisting of brother Idris and sister Azrial, together with their parents Iared and Baraka, pray before enjoying a frugal meal, while the servant leaves the house with alms for the poor. The narrative then continues in the detailed piece of landscape where the action takes place, with the assumption into heaven of Enoch during a sacrifice. According to the Revelation, Enoch will return to earth, with the prophet Elijah, to fight the Antichrist.

Enoch is a biblical character antediluviano, sixth direct descendant of Adam and Eve along the line of Set (the so-called "great genealogy of the Sethites" mentioned in the Book of Genesis (5, 21-23[1]) and in the Letter of Judah where it is expressly said that he was "the seventh [patriarch] after Adam" (Jude 14[2]).Son of Jared, beget in turn Methuselah, the grandfather of Noah. His end is particular: "Enoch lived in all 365 years, and walked with God, then he was not seen again, because God took him". This enigmatic verse gave birth to the tradition that he would be taken up into heaven (as will happen later to the prophet Elijah). " Enoch pleased the Lord and was raptured, instructive example for all generations", says of him Sirach 44, 16[3]. So it is also found in the New Testament: "By faith Enoch was carried away, so that he would not see death; and he was no more found, because God had taken him away. Before he was carried away, he received the testimony that he had been pleasing to God" (Hebrews 11:5). This moment is represented in the painting under consideration in the background landscape, a consequential episode to the narrative in the foreground.

Sadeler’s incision is inspired by a painting by Gillis Mostaert (Hulst 1534 circa - Antwerp 1598) kept at the Voronezh Regional Art Museum. Jan Mandijn’s pupil, he is the author of landscapes animated by biblical episodî and war scenes (Fire of Troy, Sodom and Gomorrah, Cologne, Wallraf-Richartz Museum). His works have often been confused with those of Marteen van Cleve. Landscape painter was also his twin brother Frans (d. 1560).