Abraham Dismissing Hagar c. 1543

Curator: This engraving, "Abraham Dismissing Hagar" by Georg Pencz, presents a poignant biblical scene in striking detail, despite its small size of just 5.3 by 8.7 centimeters. Editor: It's immediately striking. The figures dominate the composition, crammed into this tiny space; you can almost feel Hagar's distress. Curator: Pencz, active in 16th-century Nuremberg, was deeply involved in the artistic and social currents of the Reformation. Prints like these were crucial in disseminating imagery and ideas. Consider the process of engraving itself—the labor involved in producing these multiples. Editor: Absolutely, and how that availability shaped public perception. The depiction of Abraham, pushing Hagar away while Sarah watches, speaks volumes about patriarchal structures and social hierarchies of the time. The very act of dismissing Hagar becomes a public performance. Curator: Precisely! It's a material manifestation of power, circulated and consumed widely. The small scale encourages intimate viewing, perhaps reinforcing its message in a domestic setting. Editor: Seeing it now, it feels less like a simple illustration and more like a coded commentary on the social and political landscape of Pencz's time.