Who painted Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac was painted by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1645.

Where can I see Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Abraham and Isaac?

Museum-quality prints of Abraham and Isaac are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Abraham and Isaac

Rembrandt van Rijn , 1645

Abraham and Isaac is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in plate: Rembrandt. / 1645.

About this work

Overview

Isaac, clad in simple loose clothing, holds a bundle of wood, his gaze directed upward toward his father with an expression of trust and resignation.

Created in 1645, Abraham and Isaac is a small etching by Rembrandt van Rijn, executed with etching needle and burin. The work depicts the biblical moment immediately preceding the sacrifice, capturing the tension between divine command and paternal love. The composition centers on the two figures against a sparse landscape featuring low walls and scrubby vegetation.

Abraham, distinguished by a turban and long robe, stands with a somber expression, his hand raised as if to restrain or guide his son. Isaac, clad in simple loose clothing, holds a bundle of wood, his gaze directed upward toward his father with an expression of trust and resignation. Rembrandt utilizes the burin to deepen shadows and define the textures of the garments and the rugged terrain, creating a dramatic interplay of light and dark characteristic of his mature style.

This piece is part of a series of religious prints produced during the mid-1640s, a period when the artist focused intensely on psychological depth and human vulnerability rather than grandiose narrative spectacle. The work is notable for its intimate scale and the profound emotional weight conveyed through minimal gesture and stark lighting, marking a significant contribution to Rembrandt's exploration of Old Testament themes.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents two figures positioned beside a low wall and sparse vegetation. The elder, clothed in a long robe and turban, holds a small object, while the younger man, in a simple shirt and trousers, looks upward, clutching a cloth‑bound bundle. The gesture suggests a moment of instruction or offering, echoing the narrative of Abraham’s test of faith.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employed a combination of etching and drypoint (burin) to achieve fine, expressive lines. The delicate hatching defines the folds of fabric, the texture of hair, and the surrounding foliage. Contrasting dense shadows with lighter areas creates depth, while the precise incisions convey the emotional tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

The etching was produced in the mid‑1640s, a period when Rembrandt was prolific in printmaking. Original impressions were likely distributed among collectors and fellow artists. Over the centuries the work has entered museum collections, documented in catalogues raisonnés of Rembrandt’s graphic oeuvre.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the print reflects the era’s interest in biblical subjects rendered with psychological insight. Rembrandt’s approach combines narrative clarity with a focus on the inner states of his figures, a hallmark of his mature period in both painting and printmaking.