Abraham Leaving Haran (The Calling of Abraham), from Cabinet Reynst c. 1655 - 1658

Cornelis Visscher etched "Abraham Leaving Haran" to illustrate the biblical patriarch's journey, a narrative imbued with divine calling. Here, the radiant light from above signifies divine intervention, a visual motif tracing back to classical depictions of gods bestowing blessings. Consider how this light echoes in Renaissance paintings of the Annunciation, where divine light illuminates the Virgin Mary. This symbol transcends its religious origins, resurfacing in secular contexts to denote enlightenment, epiphany, or a moment of profound realization. The emotional resonance of this scene lies in the tension between the known and the unknown. Abraham's departure embodies a leap of faith, a severance from familiar moorings towards an uncertain destiny, evoking a primal human experience. The light, the journey, the promise—these elements recur across cultures and eras, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience and the enduring power of symbolic language.