Abraham og Isak 1761

This is W.A. Müller's engraving, "Abraham og Isak," made in 1762. The stark contrast between the etched lines and the blank paper creates a dramatic scene of a father and son in a moment of profound tension. The composition is carefully structured; Abraham gestures skyward, his body forming a diagonal line that is countered by Isaac's more grounded stance. The landscape, rendered with meticulous detail, adds to the emotional weight. Note how the lines create volume and depth, particularly in the rendering of the clouds. This meticulous detail, typical of the Enlightenment, can be read as an attempt to classify and contain the natural world, even as the narrative itself speaks to themes of faith and sacrifice that defy rational understanding. The cross-hatching is a key formal element, not just describing form but creating a visual texture that invites closer inspection. It's a powerful reminder that an image isn't just a representation; it's a constructed object, imbued with layers of meaning through the artist's deliberate choices.