Artwork
Hagar i ørkenen
Hagar i ørkenen is an oil painting. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The oil painting titled *Hagar i ørkenen* portrays the biblical figures Hagar and her son Ishmael in a stark, rocky landscape. Hagar is seated on the ground, hands pressed to her chest, while a small Ishmael stands nearby, his hands cupped near his mouth. Above them hovers an angel with outstretched wings, its serene face contrasting with Hagar’s anxious gaze.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the moment from Genesis when Hagar, cast out into the desert, encounters an angelic messenger who promises protection for her and her child. Hagar’s worried expression and the angel’s calm demeanor highlight the tension between human fear and divine reassurance, while Ishmael’s curious stance suggests a nascent hope amid desolation.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the composition relies on chiaroscuro, employing pronounced light‑dark contrasts to model forms and suggest depth within the bleak terrain. The illuminated figures emerge from surrounding shadows, and the angel’s radiant wings serve as a focal light source, enhancing the emotional intensity of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting’s provenance is not detailed in the supplied data, and no specific date, artist, or collection information is provided. Consequently, its exhibition history and ownership trail remain undocumented in the available record.
Artist & collection
