Who painted Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac was painted by Rembrandt in 1645.

Where can I see Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Abraham and Isaac?

Abraham and Isaac is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Abraham and Isaac

Rembrandt , 1645

Abraham and Isaac is an ink print by the Baroque artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Abraham and Isaac is a print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1645. Executed with etching and burin techniques, the work measures the modest scale typical of the artist’s graphic output. It depicts a biblical scene in a compact composition, rendered in monochrome tones that emphasize line and texture over colour.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents two figures positioned beside a low wall and sparse vegetation. The elder, clothed in a long robe and turban, holds a small object, while the younger man, in a simple shirt and trousers, looks upward, clutching a cloth‑bound bundle. The gesture suggests a moment of instruction or offering, echoing the narrative of Abraham’s test of faith.

Technique & Style

Rembrandt employed a combination of etching and drypoint (burin) to achieve fine, expressive lines. The delicate hatching defines the folds of fabric, the texture of hair, and the surrounding foliage. Contrasting dense shadows with lighter areas creates depth, while the precise incisions convey the emotional tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

The etching was produced in the mid‑1640s, a period when Rembrandt was prolific in printmaking. Original impressions were likely distributed among collectors and fellow artists. Over the centuries the work has entered museum collections, documented in catalogues raisonnés of Rembrandt’s graphic oeuvre.

Context

Created during the Dutch Golden Age, the print reflects the era’s interest in biblical subjects rendered with psychological insight. Rembrandt’s approach combines narrative clarity with a focus on the inner states of his figures, a hallmark of his mature period in both painting and printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

Rembrandt

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.