Offer van Isaak, en Rebekka ontvangt geschenken van Eliëzer 1722 - 1784

This print by Simon Fokke depicts two scenes from the Old Testament. In the upper image, Abraham raises his arms to the heavens as he is stopped from sacrificing his son Isaac. Angels descend, offering salvation. Consider how this motif of divine intervention echoes through art history. Think of the ancient Greek concept of "deus ex machina," where gods resolve earthly conflicts. This reflects a deep-seated human desire for deliverance. The angel, a winged messenger, appears across cultures, from ancient Assyria to Renaissance paintings. Often acting as intermediaries between the divine and mortal realms. In the lower image, Rebekah receives gifts from Eliezer, marking her selection as Isaac's wife. The act of offering gifts carries symbolic weight, signifying not just wealth but also a promise of future union and prosperity. The well in the background, a source of life, reinforces this symbolism. These images weave together themes of sacrifice, divine intervention, and the promise of future generations, all rendered in the detailed style characteristic of Fokke.