The Sacrifice of Abraham c. 1812

Curator: This is Conte Carlo Lasinio's rendering of *The Sacrifice of Abraham*, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s quite striking—the sheer amount of detail. And so much calm, despite the heavy subject matter. Curator: Lasinio presents the biblical narrative as a very public, almost theatrical event. Note the gathering crowds, the architectural backdrop, and even the figure posed like an actor taking center stage. Editor: Yes, that angel intervening at the last moment is such a potent symbol of divine intervention and the triumph of faith over despair. But I keep noticing the small details—like the ram caught in the thicket, a replacement offering, heavy with symbolism. Curator: The composition highlights how societal expectations and religious devotion often become intertwined, creating pressure on individuals. Editor: It's a familiar, yet still powerful, representation of faith, obedience, and redemption through the visual language of its time. Curator: Absolutely. The image reveals both the personal drama and its broader social implications.