Abraham en de drie engelen 1781 - 1783

John B. Skippe created this print, titled ‘Abraham en de drie engelen’, sometime before 1812, using an engraving technique. Skippe lived in a time when the print was an essential means of communicating religious and moral ideas. The artwork captures a scene from the Book of Genesis, where Abraham encounters three divine visitors, often interpreted as angels or manifestations of God. Abraham is depicted kneeling, demonstrating reverence and humility before the heavenly figures. Consider the power dynamics here: an elderly man, kneeling before divine messengers. How does this image reinforce or challenge societal hierarchies and ideas about obedience and faith? The figures are rendered in a classical style, reminiscent of Renaissance art, with flowing robes and idealized features. This aesthetic choice connects the biblical narrative to a broader tradition of Western art and thought, suggesting timeless and universal themes. Note how the artist uses line and shading to create a sense of depth and movement, drawing us into the spiritual encounter. The image invites reflection on themes of hospitality, divine intervention, and the human relationship with the sacred.