Rembrandt van Rijn
Abraham and Isaac, 1645
Etching and burin, state I/II
6 1/8 x 5 1/8 inches (15.7 x 13 cm)
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
In Genesis 22, Isaac, unaware of the nature of the sacrifice that the Lord has commanded Abraham to make, asks why no lamb is present. His father answers that the Lord will provide the lamb. Just beyond Abraham’s pointed finger, rays of light break through the gathering clouds, anticipating the arrival of the intervening angel sent by God.