21

single object

Bartsch: B35-1(1)
New Hollstein Dutch: NHD287-1(1)

Abraham's Sacrifice

1655

support: paper
medium: ink

signature and date - b.r.

Rembrandt f. 1655

Just as Abraham is about to sacrifice his son, an angel stays his hand (Genesis 22: 9-14). God is convinced of Abraham’s obedience. Rembrandt depicted the three figures bathed in heavenly light, contrasted against the dark hatching of the background. On the left, under the angel’s wing, Rembrandt has concealed the ram that Abraham is to sacrifice in Isaac's stead.

W. Esdaile, London, d. 1837, sale 1840 (L 2617). M.J.Perry, Providence, R.I., sale 1908 (no stamp; cf. : 1880). Donated by J. Israëls, 1911.