Minneapolis Institute of Art

Abraham Sacrificing Isaac

Unidentified artist, Germany

Date

18th century

Medium

Graphite pencil on paper

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Abraham Sacrificing Isaac is finely drawn in graphite and appears to be a preparatory drawing for an 18th-century German book illustration. Below the image is a partly illegible four-line inscription. The sweet-faced angel gently restrains the distraught father and points heavenward. Throughout the drawing, one observes firm but delicate outlines and finely modulated shading that beautifully captures the softly raking early-morning light. The ram is seen caught in the brambles to the left, and a mountainous landscape extends into the distance. Germany, Europe

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