Artwork
Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac
Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac is an oil painting by the Baroque artist David Teniers the Younger. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac is a small oil-on-panel painting by David Teniers the Younger, depicting a biblical scene. It is one of over 200 copies Teniers made of artworks in the collection of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac, interrupted by an angel, with a ram waiting nearby. It represents a pivotal moment from the biblical narrative, capturing the drama and tension of the scene in a compact format.
Technique & Style
Teniers employed a glazing technique to achieve vivid colors and depth in the painting. This method involves layering thin, transparent paint to create a sense of luminosity and to enhance the overall visual impact.
History & Provenance
The painting was created as a model for an engraving to be included in Theatrum Pictorium, a catalogue of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm's art collection published in 1660. Teniers worked as the archduke's curator and painter, reproducing works from the collection, including this piece, which was originally by another artist.
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Artist & collection
Artist
David Teniers the Younger or David Teniers II was a Flemish Baroque painter, printmaker, and artist.
