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The Angels Appearing to Abraham by Francesco Guardi

Francesco Guardi · 1754-01-01

Francesco Guardi's "The Angels Appearing to Abraham," painted in 1754, is a dramatic oil painting now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art. It depicts a pivotal biblical moment: the Lord appearing to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre.

Guardi, an Italian painter from the Venetian School, is perhaps best known for his later vedute, or detailed cityscapes. However, this early work showcases his skill in religious subjects, with its striking use of light and shadow, and dynamic, cloud-filled sky creating an ethereal atmosphere around the celestial figures.

For an early work by an artist famed for other subjects, this painting once commanded a significant price. It sold for nearly 200,000 British pounds, equivalent to close to 300,000 US dollars in today's market. This reflects the enduring appeal and artistic merit of Guardi's less famous religious commissions.

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Details

Its painter, Francesco Guardi, was known for cityscapes.
Its painter, Francesco Guardi, was known for cityscapes.
But this early work is a dramatic biblical scene.
But this early work is a dramatic biblical scene.
See how Abraham looks up, awestruck by the divine light.
See how Abraham looks up, awestruck by the divine light.
The painting once sold for a surprising amount for an early work.
The painting once sold for a surprising amount for an early work.
Transcript

This 1754 painting shows angels appearing to Abraham. Its painter, Francesco Guardi, was known for cityscapes. But this early work is a dramatic biblical scene. See how Abraham looks up, awestruck by the divine light. The painting once sold for a surprising amount for an early work. It was bought for just under 200,000 British pounds. That's nearly 300,000 US dollars today.