Artwork
Rejection of Hagar
Rejection of Hagar is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1657 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Nicolaes Maes’ *Rejection of Hagar* (1657) is an oil painting from the Dutch Golden Age that portrays a moment from the biblical narrative of Hagar’s expulsion. Executed during Maes’ early career, the work combines a solemn narrative with the artist’s developing skill in rendering light and space.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows an elderly man, likely Abraham, gesturing from a doorway as Hagar, clothed in a long robe and veil, is led away by an attendant. A child and a dog sit nearby, emphasizing the family’s vulnerability. The scene captures the tension between duty and compassion inherent in the scriptural episode.
Technique & Style
Maes employs strong chiaroscuro, using contrasts of light and shadow to model figures and create a sense of depth within the stone‑walled interior. The dark robe and turban of the older figure are illuminated against a dim background, while the soft lighting on Hagar and the child adds volume and draws the eye toward the central drama.
History & Provenance
Painted while Maes was still based in Dordrecht, the work later entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on Dutch 17th‑century painting and the artist’s reputation as a competent interpreter of biblical subjects.
Context
Maes, a pupil of Rembrandt, was known for genre scenes and later for portraiture in Amsterdam. *Rejection of Hagar* illustrates his early engagement with religious themes, aligning with the period’s demand for biblical narratives that conveyed moral lessons through intimate, domestic settings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
