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Lot Essay
Clearly linked in terms of size and subject the present work can be seen as forming a pair with the previous lot, even though this later chapter in Abraham's story was etched the year before Abraham entertaining the Angels.
The story concerns the test of faith set by God for Abraham in which he was commanded to make a burnt offering of his son, Isaac. Abraham duly bound him, laid him on the altar and drew his knife when an angel appeared and held his hand, saying 'Now I know you are a God-fearing man. You have not withheld me from your son.' A ram, which had got caught in a thicket nearby, was sacrificed in Isaac's place.
Rembrandt has followed the written source very closely. According to Genesis 'Abraham said unto his young men: abide ye here with the ass and I and the lad will go yonder and worship.' The two young men, and the ass upon which Abraham made the journey, can be seen at the right waiting a little below the hill where the action takes place. The ram can just be made out at the left.
The story concerns the test of faith set by God for Abraham in which he was commanded to make a burnt offering of his son, Isaac. Abraham duly bound him, laid him on the altar and drew his knife when an angel appeared and held his hand, saying 'Now I know you are a God-fearing man. You have not withheld me from your son.' A ram, which had got caught in a thicket nearby, was sacrificed in Isaac's place.
Rembrandt has followed the written source very closely. According to Genesis 'Abraham said unto his young men: abide ye here with the ass and I and the lad will go yonder and worship.' The two young men, and the ass upon which Abraham made the journey, can be seen at the right waiting a little below the hill where the action takes place. The ram can just be made out at the left.