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Albrecht Altdorfer

Jael and Sisera

1520/25
Woodcut in black on ivory laid paper
7.2 × 4.8 cm (2.8 × 1.9 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Albrecht Altdorfer depicted the biblical heroine Jael, who killed Sisera, the captain of the king of Canaan’s army, in order to deliver Israel from his troops. She welcomed Sisera to her home when he and his soldiers were fleeing from battle and offered him food and drink. When he fell asleep, she drove a tent spike through his skull so deeply that it pierced the ground below. Jael was heralded and blessed for enabling Israel’s victory.

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