Abraham en Isaak offeren de ram 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print, ‘Abraham en Isaak offeren de ram,’ sometime between 1673 and 1733. During this period, Europe was experiencing shifts in religious and political power, influencing how biblical stories were interpreted and depicted. Here, we see the story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, a narrative laden with themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention. However, let’s consider the emotional and psychological undercurrents. Isaac, kneeling, embodies submission, while Abraham’s raised arms can be seen as him caught between devotion and internal conflict. The image is framed by elaborate ornamentation, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the time, yet it also serves to elevate and perhaps idealize this moment of intense personal and religious drama. Picart invites us to reflect on the tensions between faith and reason, obedience and morality, that continue to resonate today.