Artwork
The Expulsion of Hagar
The Expulsion of Hagar is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Pieter van Bie. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky collection.
About this work
Overview
Pieter van Bie’s 1642 oil on canvas, titled The Expulsion of Hagar, portrays a biblical episode in a tranquil riverside setting. The composition centers on three figures: an elderly man, a woman, and a child, positioned near a gently flowing river beneath a soft, cloud‑dappled sky. Simple architecture and distant trees frame the scene, while a modest bridge hints at a broader landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualizes the scriptural moment when Abraham, obeying divine command, sends Hagar and her son Ishmael away. The man, identified as Abraham, points toward the water, perhaps indicating the path to exile. Hagar, turned away from him, clutches the child’s hand with resolve, underscoring themes of maternal protection and forced separation.
Technique & Style
Van Bie employs a restrained palette of muted earth tones, allowing the figures to emerge from a softly modeled background. The brushwork is smooth, creating a calm atmosphere that contrasts with the narrative tension. Light is diffused across the sky and water, lending a sense of stillness that emphasizes the emotional gravity of the departure.
History & Provenance
Completed in the mid‑seventeenth century, the painting entered the collection of the State Hermitage Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader interest in Dutch religious art of the period, though detailed records of earlier ownership are scarce.
Context
The expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael was a frequent subject in Dutch Golden Age painting, offering artists a way to explore themes of faith, obedience, and human vulnerability. Van Bie’s rendition aligns with contemporary devotional works, yet distinguishes itself through a subdued, almost contemplative treatment of the narrative rather than dramatic spectacle.
Artist & collection
Artist
A Dutch Golden Age painter of biblical scenes, Pieter van Bie worked in the 1640s.
Museum
Pyotr Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky collection
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