'They have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it', 19th century. Biblical scene, from Exodus 32: 8: 'They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' The Israelites, fearing Moses would not return from Mount Sinai, made a 'graven image' from melted-down gold jewellery, in contravention of God's instructions. Engraving after 'The Adoration of the Golden Calf', an early 17th century painting by Nicolas Poussin.