Abraham ontvangt de drie engelen 1648 - 1663

This print, ‘Abraham ontvangt de drie engelen’, was made by Anton van der Borcht. It depicts a scene from the Book of Genesis, where Abraham welcomes three strangers who are later revealed to be angels. What might this image tell us about the cultural values of its time? The scene is set in a detailed landscape, suggesting an interest in naturalism. The architecture and clothing reflect a Northern European aesthetic, which shows how biblical stories were often reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary culture. The presence of Latin text indicates the print was likely made for an educated audience, familiar with classical languages and religious scripture. To fully understand this work, we can research the artist's background, the historical context of religious art production, and the dissemination of biblical imagery through prints. This helps us to see how art both reflects and shapes cultural beliefs within a specific social context.