Sacrifice of Isaac 1600 - 1700

This anonymous red chalk drawing depicts the biblical story of the Sacrifice of Isaac. The composition focuses on the moment just before Abraham is about to sacrifice his son, as an angel intervenes to stop him. The drawing's style is reminiscent of the 17th-century Italian Baroque, with dramatic figures and expressive gestures. The artist's focus on the emotional intensity of the scene is evident in the contorted figures and the use of light and shadow. The drawing, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the religious fervor of the period and serves as a powerful reminder of the complex relationship between faith and human will.