Abraham Entertaining Three Angels
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Campbell Cooper
Accession Number
1896-3-302
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
In the biblical tale from Genesis, Abraham welcomes three heavenly visitors—often interpreted as angels or a divine manifestation—at the oaks of Mamre, a moment of hospitality foreshadowing the birth of Isaac Francesco Bartolozzi captures this sacred encounter in his 1797 print *Abraham Entertaining Three Angels now housed in the Smithsonian American Art through the bequest of George Cooper. Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver (1727–1815) who thrived in England, was a master of stipple engraving, a technique dotted lines to create soft, painterly effects ideal for reproducing grand historical and...