Artwork
The Sacrifice of Isaac
The Sacrifice of Isaac is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Andrea del Sarto. It dates from 1527 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
The Sacrifice of Isaac is a painting by Andrea del Sarto, an Italian Renaissance artist, existing in three versions of varying sizes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a dramatic biblical scene: Abraham, bearded and robed in red, restrains his nude son Isaac on an altar, while a cherub above holds a ram, symbolizing the sacrifice's divine interruption.
Technique & Style
The work features muted earthy tones and detailed rendering of figures, with chiaroscuro likely used to create depth and emotional intensity through contrasts of light and dark.
History & Provenance
Three versions of the painting are held in different museums: the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Museo del Prado, dated to around 1527–1530.
Artist & collection
Artist
Andrea del Sarto was an Italian painter from Florence, whose career flourished during the High Renaissance and early Mannerism.
