Dish with the Sacrifice of Abraham c. 1650 - 1660

This tin-glazed earthenware dish depicts the Sacrifice of Abraham, made by Willem Jansz. Verstraeten. This object testifies to the complex relationship between religious belief, social norms, and artistic expression in its time. The depiction of this famous biblical story reflects the prominence of religious themes in Dutch culture. However, its appearance on a commonplace item such as a dish suggests a domestication of religious imagery, bringing sacred narratives into everyday life. The visual codes employed, such as the angel intervening to stop Abraham, reinforce traditional interpretations of the story and reflect the cultural values of the time. Historical associations with Dutch Protestantism shed light on how religious narratives were used to reinforce moral and social values. Art history is not just about aesthetics. By studying objects like this in their social and institutional contexts, using sources such as domestic inventories and religious pamphlets, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural forces that shaped their creation and reception.