Who painted The Sacrifice of Gideon?

The Sacrifice of Gideon was painted by Ferdinand Bol in 1648.

Where can I see The Sacrifice of Gideon?

The Sacrifice of Gideon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Sacrifice of Gideon?

The Sacrifice of Gideon is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Sacrifice of Gideon?

Museum-quality prints of The Sacrifice of Gideon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Sacrifice of Gideon

Ferdinand Bol , 1648

The Sacrifice of Gideon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Ferdinand Bol. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1648, *The Sacrifice of Gideon* is a black‑and‑white print by Dutch artist Ferdinand Bol. Executed through a combination of etching and drypoint, the work presents a biblical tableau in which an angel hovers over a sleeping figure wrapped in a blanket, set against a densely rendered, shadowy background.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the Old Testament episode in which Gideon offers a sacrifice, a moment traditionally associated with divine guidance. Bol emphasizes the spiritual encounter by positioning the celestial being above the human, its outstretched arms suggesting a gesture of blessing or revelation, while the sleeping man remains unaware, underscoring themes of faith and providence.

Technique & Style

The contrast of crisp outlines against a dark, atmospheric plane reflects the dramatic compositional sensibility he inherited from his teacher, Rembrandt.

Bol employed the fine, incised lines characteristic of drypoint alongside the broader, ink‑filled grooves of etching. This dual approach yields a texture that mimics woven fabrics and tangled foliage, allowing the figures to emerge sharply from the densely cross‑hatched surroundings. The contrast of crisp outlines against a dark, atmospheric plane reflects the dramatic compositional sensibility he inherited from his teacher, Rembrandt.

History & Provenance

Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt, was known for historical and portrait subjects, and this print aligns with his interest in narrative scenes drawn from scripture. Though the original plate’s later whereabouts are undocumented, the work has been recorded in several 17th‑century print collections, confirming its circulation among contemporary collectors of religious imagery.