scenes occur in David learning of the Death of Saul (No. 37), and David triumphing over the Philistines (No. 38). VOL. I., PLATE 69. OLD TESTAMENT WOODCUTS [Illustration: 1. JACOB BLESSING EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH 2. RUTH AND BOAZ _From proofs in the British Museum_ ] [Illustration: 3. JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNES 4. AMOS PREACHING _From proofs in the British Museum_ ] VOL. I., PLATE 70. OLD TESTAMENT WOODCUTS [Illustration: 1. MOSES RECEIVING THE TABLES OF THE LAW 2. THE RETURN FROM THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY _From proofs in the British Museum_ ] [Illustration: 3. THE ANGEL SHOWING ST. JOHN THE NEW JERUSALEM Revelation xxi. Woodcut from Adam Petri’s New Testament, 1523 _From a copy in the British Museum_ ] [Sidenote: THE OLD TESTAMENT ALPHABET] Holbein also went to the Old Testament for the subjects of an Alphabet of twenty-four letters, engraved on metal, and of considerable size.[490] They begin with the Creation of Eve, and conclude with Jacob’s journey into Egypt. The letters N to Y are occupied with the story of Joseph, which is thus given in considerable detail. In the letter O, representing Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, the bed on which the latter sits has curtains ornamented with the French lilies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XI THE MEYER MADONNA AND THE DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND Commission from Jakob Meyer for the “Meyer Madonna”—Description of the picture at Darmstadt—Preliminary studies for the heads—The copy at Dresden—History of the two pictures—Magdalena Offenburg and the “Lais Corinthiaca” and “Venus”—Lack of work in Basel owing to the disturbed state of the city—Holbein’s departure for England.