Who painted The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness?

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness was painted by Pier Francesco Mola in 1645.

Where can I see The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness?

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness?

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness

Pier Francesco Mola , 1645

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Angel Appearing to Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness is a drawing created by Pier Francesco Mola around 1645. Executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper, it exemplifies the artist's skill in rendering biblical scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing illustrates a scene from the biblical narrative where an angel appears to Hagar and her son Ishmael in the desert, providing them with aid. The figures are arranged with Hagar and Ishmael in the foreground and the angel surrounded by clouds in the background.

Technique & Style

Mola's use of brown ink and wash creates a warm, earthy tone suitable for the desert setting. The combination of lines and shading conveys a sense of movement and energy, characteristic of the artist's naturalistic and expressive style.

Context

As a work by an Italian High Baroque painter active in Rome, the drawing reflects the artistic tendencies of its time, emphasizing naturalistic landscapes and a more spontaneous handling compared to the more formal approaches of contemporaries.