Who painted Abraham and Hagar?

Abraham and Hagar was painted by Unknown in 1616.

Where can I see Abraham and Hagar?

Abraham and Hagar is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Abraham and Hagar

Abraham and Hagar is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1616, this image titled “Abraham and Hagar” is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Created around 1616, this image titled “Abraham and Hagar” is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition depicts a domestic tableau with three figures arranged against a sky mottled with clouds. A man stands to the right, a woman seated to the left, and a child positioned between them, all rendered in a muted palette that emphasizes the figures against a dark silhouette behind the male figure.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a biblical episode in which Abraham interacts with Hagar, the mother of Ishmael. The man’s hand rests on the woman’s shoulder, suggesting a gesture of reassurance or authority, while the child looks upward toward him, perhaps indicating dependence or inquiry. The presence of a large jug and a round object held by the child may allude to daily life and the provision of sustenance within the narrative.

Technique & Style

The work employs a flat, linear approach typical of early 17th‑century image making, with clear outlines defining each figure. The woman’s striped shawl and the cloudy background are rendered with modest shading, creating a subtle sense of depth without abandoning the overall stylized flatness. The dark shape behind the man functions as a compositional anchor, contrasting with the lighter sky and drawing attention to the central interaction.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the artist catalogued as 2635_person, the piece dates to circa 1616 and has been held by the Museum of Ethnography for an unspecified period. The museum’s records list the work among its holdings of early modern visual representations of biblical themes, and it remains accessible within the institution’s collection for study and public viewing.