Jael and Sisera

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Jael and Sisera
mid-17th c.
JaCob Willemsz. DE Wet

The Old Testament heroine Jael (Judges 4, 17-22) is a symbol of virtue and strength. She killed the Caananite military leader Sisera in his tent while he was asleep by hammering a tent peg into his head, thus freeing her people from the enemy. The main events are shown by means of dramatic light against the overall dark brown background of the painting. Jael right-centre, with the hammer in her right hand, is highlighted as she shows to three soldiers and servants the dead Sisera with the spike in his head. The grey-pink colours of her silk dress are shown in varied tones and the light is on her bare breast and pearl necklace.