Jacob de Wet

JACOB DE WET (Haarlem, c. 1610-Cologne ?, 1677/1691).
"The Sacrifice of Jephthah's Daughter".
Oil on panel.
Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 91 x 125 cm.
The scene is developed in a monumental architectural space, of classic appearance and in ruins, that frames the dramatism of the episode. In the compositional center, slightly displaced to the right, rises a stony dais where the figure of the young woman destined to the sacrifice is placed. Next to her, a warrior raises his armed arm, a gesture that represents the imminence of the sacrificial act.
To the left, in contrast to the martial character of the executioner, appears an old figure wrapped in white garments, indicated by iconographic tradition as Jephthah. He extends his right arm towards the young woman, in a gesture that combines authority and emotional tearing. His countenance manifests the moral conflict between the vow he has made to God and paternal affection. At her feet, a small gilded altar, richly ornamented, underlines the ceremonial character of the scene.
The palette used by Jacob de Wet resorts to earthy, golden and ochre tones, with reddish accents in the clothing of some of the characters. The light, coming from a high and lateral spotlight, models the volumes with softness and gives a monumental air to the main figures.
The episode depicted belongs to the Book of Judges (11:30-40) of the Old Testament. Jephthah, an Israelite leader, promises God that, if he defeats the Ammonites, he will offer in sacrifice whoever comes out to meet him first on his return. After the victory, it is his own daughter who comes to meet him, celebrating her father's triumph. Jephthah, trapped by his oath, deeply regrets it but considers himself morally obliged to fulfill it. The young girl, accepting the destiny brought by the paternal vow, asks only for time to mourn her virginity on the mountain before being sacrificed.
Jacob Willemsz. de Wet, known as Jacob de Wet the Elder or Jacob de Wet I, was a Dutch Baroque painter, born in Haarlem around 1610 and possibly died in Cologne between 1677 and 1691. His work focused on biblical and historical subject matter painting, often depicted in landscape compositions with figures.
Details about his life are scarce and mostly inferred from official documents. It is known that he was the son of a Catholic bailiff and that, in 1634, he is mentioned in the records of the guild of St. Luke in Haarlem, indicating that he was already practicing as an artist at that time. Because of the influence of chiaroscuro in his early works, some experts suggest that he may have had contact with Rembrandt during his stay in Leiden.
Jacob de Wet the Elder was an influential teacher and trained numerous disciples, having as many as thirty-four pupils in his studio. Among the most prominent were Jan Vermeer van Haarlem, Job Adriaensz. Berckheyde and Paulus Potter, who possibly entered his studio in May 1642. That same year, a confrontation with Philips Wouwerman is recorded due to the transfer of an apprentice of the latter to De Wet's workshop.
The last confirmed record of his life is found in a document dated June 1677, when his brother-in-law Adriaen Craen acted as guarantor in a commercial matter in his name. In September of the same year, a painter named Jacob de Wet was mentioned in the Cologne guild, although it is unclear whether this was him, his son, or another artist of the same name. Given the political context of the time, it is plausible that Jacob de Wet the Elder, being a Catholic, left Haarlem after the rise to power of the Puritans.
All in all, Jacob de Wet the Elder left an important mark on 17th century Dutch painting, not only through his own works, but also through the training of outstanding artists who contributed to the development of Baroque art in the Netherlands.