Abraham en Isaak op weg naar de offerplaats c. 1550 - 1650

This print depicts Abraham and Isaac on their way to the place of sacrifice. Dominating the scene is the motif of the arduous journey – a path that winds through a complex landscape, filled with symbolic weight. The figure of Abraham, often depicted in art history with a knife or sword, ready to fulfill God's command, embodies the tension between faith and human morality. The motif of sacrifice, the willingness to give up what is most precious, appears across cultures. Think of the Greek myth of Iphigenia, or the Nordic tales of Odin sacrificing himself for wisdom. In each case, the act of giving up is not merely physical but deeply psychological. The composition, with its winding paths, visually echoes the inner turmoil of its figures. This resonates with the viewer on a subconscious level because it taps into our own experiences of hardship and moral decision-making. The image reflects how symbols, like Abraham’s sacrifice, recur and evolve across history.