Artwork

Hagar and Ishmael

Hagar and Ishmael, by Unknown, oil, 1600
Hagar and Ishmael, by Unknown, oil, 1600

Hagar and Ishmael is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum. This oil painting portrays a serene and intimate scene featuring a woman and a child, set against a soft, dreamy landscape.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting portrays a serene and intimate scene featuring a woman and a child, set against a soft, dreamy landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a tender moment between a woman, dressed in red and white, and a naked child, with a cherub hovering above, conveying warmth and intimacy. The subject is likely biblical, referencing Hagar and Ishmael, emphasizing maternal care and divine presence.

Technique & Style

The work employs oil paint to achieve a dreamy effect, characterized by soft rendering of a landscape with rolling hills and a distant building, contrasting with the more defined figures of the woman and child.

Context

The inclusion of a cherub and the biblical subject suggest the painting is part of a broader tradition of religious art, though the emphasis on quiet, personal moments distinguishes it.

Legacy

While the painting's warmth and intimacy are notable, its broader impact or influence on subsequent art is not immediately discernible from the provided details.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Ashmolean Museum

Museum

Ashmolean Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Ashmolean Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.