Wooded Landscape with the Banishment of Hagar and Ishmael 1598 - 1601

Gillis van Coninxloo's "Wooded Landscape with the Banishment of Hagar and Ishmael" (1598-1601) depicts a dense, atmospheric forest scene. The biblical narrative of Hagar and Ishmael's exile is subtly interwoven with the natural world. The figures of Hagar and Ishmael, barely visible in the path, are dwarfed by the towering trees, highlighting the vastness and indifference of nature. Coninxloo, a master of landscape painting, captures the intricate details of foliage and light filtering through the canopy, creating a sense of depth and tranquility. This artwork, housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases the artist's ability to portray both the grandeur and the intimacy of the natural world.