The Sacrifice of Isaac 1868

"The Sacrifice of Isaac" (1868) by Thomas Moran depicts a scene from the Old Testament story where Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. The painting features a dramatic landscape with a towering mountain range in the background and a group of trees in the foreground. Abraham and Isaac are positioned on a rocky outcropping, illuminated by a bright light emanating from the sky. Moran’s work conveys the tension and drama of the biblical story, highlighting the contrasting themes of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. The painting's realism and dramatic composition have made it a popular work among those interested in American landscape painting and biblical art.