Hagar and Ishmael 1776 - 1803

Benjamin West painted ‘Hagar and Ishmael’ depicting a poignant biblical scene. Dominating the canvas, we see Hagar gazing upwards, beside her son Ishmael, as an angel appears in the clouds. The upraised hand of the angel is a potent motif. Consider its echoes through time, from ancient Roman art to Renaissance depictions of divine intervention. In each instance, this gesture serves as a conduit between the earthly and the divine, laden with hope and deliverance. Yet, how has this symbol evolved? In earlier times, the pointing finger often signified authority, but here, West infuses it with compassion. The viewer is drawn into Hagar’s desperation, an emotional resonance that transcends mere narrative. The symbolism engages the viewer's subconscious, stirring something primal within us. It reveals the continuous thread of human experience, the non-linear progression of symbols that resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.