Artwork
Abraham's Sacrifice
Abraham's Sacrifice is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Abraham's Sacrifice is a 1520 woodcut on laid paper by Albrecht Altdorfer, a German Renaissance artist known for his work in multiple mediums.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dramatic scene of a bearded man poised to sacrifice a child, surrounded by turbulent clouds and ghostly figures, referencing the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac.
Technique & Style
Executed in woodcut, the image features rough, expressive lines that convey a sense of urgency and drama, characteristic of Altdorfer's style and the Danube School's emphasis on landscape and atmosphere.
Context
As a leading figure of the Danube School, Altdorfer's work contributed to the development of landscape as an independent subject in art, alongside other notable artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
