Abraham and Isaac

Currently not on view

Abraham and Isaac

1645

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (Dutch (active Leiden and Amsterdam), 1606–1669)

Rembrandt returned to the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac throughout his career, apparently fascinated by the psychological interaction between father and son. Here, he has chosen to depict a moment just after God has ordered Abraham to sacrifice his son: Isaac, carrying the wood customarily used in the burnt offering of a ram, has just asked his father where they will find the animal. Abraham replies that God will provide a ram, and Isaac gazes back trustingly at him.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Abraham and Isaac

Date:

1645

Artist:

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (Dutch (active Leiden and Amsterdam), 1606–1669)

Medium:

Etching

Dimensions:

Sheet: 6 1/8 x 5 inches (15.6 x 12.7 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The Muriel and Philip Berman Gift, acquired from the John S. Phillips bequest of 1876 to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, with funds contributed by Muriel and Philip Berman, gifts (by exchange) of Lisa Norris Elkins, Bryant W. Langston, Samuel S. White 3rd and Vera White, with additional funds contributed by John Howard McFadden, Jr., Thomas Skelton Harrison, and the Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation, 1985

Accession Number:

1985-52-1967

Geography:

Made in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe

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Currently not on view