Abraham offert Isaak, in vierkant Possibly 1651 - 1658

Harmen ter Borch rendered this ink drawing, Abraham Offert Isaak, in the mid-17th century. The scene is dominated by the dramatic interruption of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, with the angel's commanding presence halting the fatal blow. The angel, a symbol of divine intervention, carries an olive branch. This ancient symbol, echoing through time, reminds us of peace and reconciliation. From ancient Greece to Christian art, it signifies hope after conflict, resonating deep within our collective memory as a sign of divine favor and the averting of catastrophe. Consider how the visceral act of sacrifice, frozen in this moment, taps into humanity's primal fears and desires, stirring subconscious anxieties about faith, obedience, and the fragility of life. The angel embodies humanity’s yearning for intervention. The way the symbol has been refigured throughout time reflects humanity's hope for deliverance from destructive forces.