Abraham Entertaining the Angels by Rembrandt van Rijn

Abraham and Isaac by Rembrandt van Rijn
Rembrandt van Rijn, Abraham and Isaac, 1645, etching and burin, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Rosenwald Collection 1963.11.179

In the later part of his career Rembrandt often focused on scenes of quiet personal drama, as in this touching image of Abraham and Isaac. The story tells of God testing Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac. "He said to him, 'Abraham!...Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love...and offer him...as a burnt offering."

In this print, Rembrandt portrays the moment when Isaac, unaware of his fate, asks innocently, "Father! The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham gestures toward heaven: "God himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering, my son."