Abraham Casting out Hagar and Ishmael 1750 - 1788

Editor: So, here we have Jean Pierre Antoine Tassaert's "Abraham Casting out Hagar and Ishmael," a drawing and etching from the late 18th century. The mood feels so heavy, so fraught with sorrow. What do you make of it? Curator: This piece resonates with the enduring power of archetypes. Observe Abraham's posture; it is not one of cruelty, but of burdened duty. What does his hand gesture communicate to you? Editor: Almost like a reluctant push, a sense of direction. Curator: Exactly. It echoes the divine command he cannot disobey. Hagar, weeping, carrying a water jug – a poignant symbol of sustenance, now meagerly provided. And little Ishmael...what does his smallness suggest? Editor: Vulnerability, definitely. And dependence. They are both at the mercy of this decision. Curator: Consider the larger narrative—banishment, survival, promise. It touches on fundamental human experiences: family, lineage, destiny. Doesn’t it remind you of other artistic representations of exile? Of the scapegoat? Editor: Yes, I can see similar themes in other works. Curator: This scene is echoed through art history. So often, what appears at first glance to be one moment is actually charged with the weight of collective human experience. Editor: This gives me a whole new perspective. I will definitely see similar works with fresh eyes.