Sacrifice of Abraham
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Sacrifice of Abraham is a 1551 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white engraving shows a busy, dramatic scene with lots of figures and animals. At the center, a man in a hat stands near two large animals—one looks like a ram, the other a bull—while a winged figure hovers above. To the left, a soldier holds a spear and a dog, and on the right, a winged creature blows a trumpet. Smoke and clouds fill the sky, and the whole scene is framed by ornate swirls and leaves. The mix of humans, animals, and winged figures suggests this isn’t just a story—it’s packed with meaning. The artist used sharp lines and shading to create depth, even without color. Want to see how this kind of detailed linework was made? Look up engraving.
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