Sacrifice of Isaac (recto); Jacob's Dream (verso) 1613 - 1620

This drawing, "Sacrifice of Isaac (recto); Jacob's Dream (verso)" by Italian Baroque artist Guercino, is a study in pen on paper. The recto side depicts the biblical story of the sacrifice of Isaac, where the father, Abraham, is about to kill his son, Isaac, in an act of obedience to God's command. Guercino uses a loose and gestural style to capture the dramatic moment. The verso, or back of the page, presents a sketch of Jacob's dream, another biblical tale. This drawing demonstrates the artist’s interest in exploring and preparing compositions for future large-scale paintings.