“Sabethai Sevi, Der Falsche Messias”

(SHABBATHAI TZVI)

Dutch (?)

17th Century

Copper engraving on paper. Legend in Dutch

I. Schachar, Jewish Tradition in Art: The Feuchtwanger Collection, (1981) p. 324, no. 1123; EJ, XIV, col. 1239 (illus)

A fascinating and intricately detailed chrono-pictogram depicting various scenes, numbered 1-8 from the life of Shabbathai Tzvi, the false Messiah and his Prophet, Nathan of Gaza. In the foreground: Procession- from right to left: Shabbathai Tzvi (1), wearing a turban and holding a fan, with attendants and accolytes, several holding his garments. Before them, a man holding a comb, two men carrying vases of flowers and another man holding a plate of foods. At left, Nathan of Gaza (8) presents a plate piled with coins to a small crowd (5) standing before a doorway over which is a fanciful inscription. In the midcenter: A mound with a palace, within, a throne with conch above, before which stands Shabbethai Tzvi before Qadi, breathing fire into a tall flame (2), to the left two men look on. At right: Above, a crowned figure surrounded by radiant flames within a cloud:- part of Shabbethai’s heavenly vision, hovering over the city on the sea-shore (4); three men raise their hands towards the cloud, two on bended knee. Below: The men beat Shabbethai Tzvi with sticks (6); to the right, three police-officers lead him to prison (7). At left: Above, Domed Temple flying through the air on rays of light- another part of Shabbathai’s heavenly vision (4). Below: Shabbathai Tzvi riding on a fire-breathing lion towards seven bowing figures (3). This engraving differs from that in the Feuchtwanger Collection, without the inscription “Sabethai Sevi, der Falsche Messias” in the foreground, and with a legend in Dutch - unknown elsewhere