Melchisedech Blessing Abraham

1743

John Baptist Jackson, after Francesco Bassano II

Associated Names
John Baptist Jackson

Artist, British, 1701 - 1780

Francesco Bassano II

Artist After, Italian, 1549 - 1592

This is a drawing of a scene depicting a historical or religious meeting. The image illustrates a gathering where two elder figures in robes are greeting each other, while several others stand and sit around them. The gathering appears to take place outdoors, with tents and a throng of livestock like horses and sheep visible in the background. To the right, a table is set with lit candles and some offerings or objects on it. The presence of animals, such as dogs lying peacefully in the foreground and the detailed vegetation, create a serene rural atmosphere. The composition combines elements of nature, camaraderie, and possibly ritualistic or important social interaction.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chiaroscuro woodcut printed from four blocks in buff, gray, and two shades of brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    image: 57.4 x 38.2 cm (22 5/8 x 15 1/16 in.)
    sheet: 58.3 x 39.3 cm (22 15/16 x 15 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.527

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Kainen 1962, no. 31

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Mary Jordan Collection. [1] (Zeitlin & ver Brugge Booksellers, Los Angeles); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased 1986; Gift to NGA, 2012.
[1] According to the donor's collection list for Jackson woodcuts, a great number came from the Mary Jordan Collection.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1962

  • Kainen, Jacob. John Baptist Jackson; 18th century master of the color woodcut. Washington, 1962: no. 31

Inscriptions

lower right in image: Per-illustri D. D. / JOANNI READE / Tabellam hanc in obse- / quentissimae reverentiae / specimen D. D. D. / J. B. Jackson / ex Tabella penes / D. Jos. Smith

Wikidata ID

Q76557102

You may be interested in

Loading Results