Hagar(?) and the Angel c. late 16th century

This bronze plaquette depicts Hagar and the Angel and was created by an anonymous artist. In this scene from the Book of Genesis, Hagar, cast out from Abraham's household, collapses in the wilderness with her son Ishmael. An angel appears to her, promising divine protection and a future for her child. The image reflects ideas about charity and divine intervention. The small size and precious material suggest it was made for private devotion, perhaps circulating among wealthy families. This object would have reinforced social norms around piety. The composition, with its classical figures and landscape, draws on Renaissance visual codes. Produced at a time of religious and social upheaval, works like these could serve to reinforce religious values and social hierarchies. To fully understand this plaquette, we can research its provenance and compare it to similar works. This process helps us to understand its function, its relationship to social and religious institutions, and its place within history.