The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

III. Solis-Nurnberg Engraver of Graphic Prophetic Symbols

VIRGIL SOLIS (1514-1562, or 1567), designer and engraver of great ability and versatility, produced an enormous number of woodcuts, etchings, and illuminations-so many that people later have wondered how he could have done it in his short lifetime. ¹⁵ In 1531 we find him in Zurich, working with the printer Froschauer, making woodcuts for the Swiss edition of the Bible. From 1540 on we find him in Nurnberg, where he designed coats of arms, illustrated histories, ¹⁶ and so forth. But his great contributions were his Bible illustrations (published also in book form). ¹⁷ By these pictures he gave to the people a new kind of Bible, and taught them to look at the Scriptures in a new way. In his realistic representation of Biblical scenery, in his enchanting splendor, in his genre style, he met the taste of his time. And this Picture Bible, published by Feyerabend in 1560, at Frankfurt am Main, had the most outstanding success. However, it did not meet the approval of Wittenberg, where Solis’ pictures were considered innovations, and called outrageous, and even vicious, so that Feyerabend discontinued to use them in later editions. Strange to say, they remained favorites among the Catholics, and we find his pictures in all editions of the Dietenberger Bible until far into the seventeenth century, of course with omission of some of the more disconcerting illustrations of Revelation. His monogram, a small s superimposed on the right arm of a large V, became famous in the world of art and printing. ¹⁸ PFF2 313.2

After picturing Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic statue of a man, symbolizing the kingdoms of man from Babylonia forward, Solis presents the prophetic beast-symbols of Daniel 7. The four beasts, representing the same four successive empires, have arisen from the sea of nations amid the blowing of the four winds, and are placed two in the East-the Babylonian lion and the Persian bear; and two in the West-the Grecian leopard and the Roman beast. Beneath is the legend: PFF2 314.1

“Four kingdoms do on earth proclaim, Will have power that’s much the same. The fifth, the Antichrist will build Till God pulls down his guile and guilt.” ¹⁹ PFF2 314.2

In these illustrations of the book of Revelation we find, among others, Christ walking among the seven candlesticks, with the sword coming forth from His mouth; the four apocalyptic horsemen; the picturing of the seven trumpets; the angel of Revelation 10; the two witnesses of chapter 11; the beast with a triple crown crouching before them, eager to devour them; and the dragon with seven heads casting the flood of water after the woman-church, whose child was caught up to God. PFF2 314.3

The Beast with seven heads is worshiped by the multitudes, and by prelates and kings alike. The triumphant Lamb is placed on Mount Zion with the redeemed, and the angel is crying, “Babylon is fallen.” The Son of man is shown coming in the clouds, sending His angels to harvest the wheat of the earth and to cut the clusters of grapes for the winepress of wrath. The seven last plagues are being poured out-one of the angels emptying his vial on the seat of the Beast. The woman with the golden cup, seated on the seven-headed Beast, receives homage. The final fall of Babylon is disclosed, the final war is portrayed, with the Beast cast into the bottomless pit. The siege of the Holy City by the hosts of the wicked is presented, and finally the glories of the new earth are pictured. Such was the graphic portrayal of the prophetic symbols that were the constant theme of study and exposition. (Reproduction appears on page 346.) PFF2 314.4