Harmen Jansz. Muller, after Maerten van Heemskerck
(Netherlandish, 1498–1574)
First Commandment (The Golden Calf), from “The Ten Commandments”
Object Details
Artist
Harmen Jansz. Muller, after Maerten van Heemskerck
Date
1566
Medium
Engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
7 5/8 × 9 5/8 inches (19.4 × 24.4 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired through the Museum Membership Fund
Object
Number
64.0049
The golden calf was an idol worshipped by the Israelites. When Moses returned from receiving the Ten(…)
The golden calf was an idol worshipped by the Israelites. When Moses returned from receiving the Ten Commandments and witnessed this idolatry, he dropped and broke the tablets and ordered the golden calf to be melted down and fed to the idolaters. This story is one of sin because the creation and worship of idols or “any graven image” by the Jewish people is prohibited by the commandments. —Rayna Klugherz ’23
