Hagar en Ismaël door Abraham verstoten en een engel wijst Hagar de waterbron 1791

Jacob Folkema created this print of Hagar and Ishmael being cast out by Abraham in the 18th century, using engraving. The print is divided into two scenes illustrating the narrative from Genesis. Folkema made this print in the Netherlands, during a period of religious and artistic exchange. The story of Hagar, a handmaiden, cast out into the wilderness resonates with the social and religious tensions of the time. The Dutch Republic, a Protestant nation, was home to diverse interpretations of the bible. Folkema's detailed engraving invites reflection on themes of faith, social justice, and the treatment of marginalized figures. The composition and visual codes also reflect the influence of classical art and the Dutch tradition of history painting. Historians delve into theological texts, social histories, and artistic conventions to understand prints such as these. The meaning of art always depends on the social and institutional context in which it appears.