Who painted Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew?

Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew was painted by Antonio Tempesta in 1613.

Where can I see Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew?

Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew?

Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew?

Museum-quality prints of Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew

Antonio Tempesta , 1613

Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew is an ink print by the Baroque artist Antonio Tempesta. It dates from 1613 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Antonio Tempesta’s 1613 etching, titled *Abraham makes the enemies flee who hold his nephew*, captures a turbulent biblical rescue. Executed in the early seventeenth century, the print presents a densely packed battlefield where Abraham confronts the captors of his relative, emphasizing motion and conflict through sharp, interlacing lines.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a moment from the Genesis narrative in which Abraham intervenes to free his nephew, a scene that underscores themes of familial duty and divine protection. By placing Abraham at the forefront of the melee, Tempesta highlights the hero’s decisive role in overcoming hostile forces.

Technique & Style

Rendered as an etching, the work relies on incised lines that generate a stark contrast between illuminated figures and a shadowy backdrop. Tempesta’s handling of the needle creates a sense of swirling movement; horses, swords, and bodies interweave across the picture plane, extending beyond the borders to suggest an uncontained clash.

Context

Tempesta, a Florentine born in 1555, operated at the crossroads of Roman Baroque sensibilities and the engraving traditions of Antwerp. His oeuvre frequently revisited historical and biblical battles, and this print fits within a broader series that celebrated dramatic narrative moments through vigorous, almost theatrical, visual storytelling.

Legacy

The etching was produced in 1613, a period when printmaking served both as a means of disseminating religious stories and as a showcase of an artist’s technical prowess. Tempesta’s battle scenes, including this one, influenced later engravers who sought to convey kinetic energy and complex compositions within the limited medium of line.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Antonio Tempesta

Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp.