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About this artwork

Abraham trekt met zijn vrouw Sara en met zijn familie naar Kanaän. God, zwevend in een wolk, wijst hen de goede weg. Het groepje wandelt in een glooiend landschap met af en toe een boerderij of een dorp. Prent uit een serie van zes prenten die het levensverhaal van de aartsvader Abraham verbeelden.

Art Historical Context

This delicate circular etching, created around 15601570, captures a pivotal moment from the Book of Genesis: Abraham leading his wife Sarah and their household toward Canaan. God appears in a cloud overhead, guiding the travelers through a gently rolling landscape dotted with farms and villages. Measuring just 175 millimeters in diameter, the print belongs to a series of six works illustrating key episodes in the patriarch’s life, making the biblical narrative accessible to a wide audience through portable, affordable imagery. Etching, a technique that gained popularity in Northern Europe during the sixteenth century, allowed artists to achieve fine lines and atmospheric effects ideal for storytelling. Though the creator remains unknown, the composition reflects the period’s interest in clear, moralizing religious scenes that could be shared across households and communities. Such prints played an important role in shaping how people visualized scripture during the Reformation era. The intimate round format invites close viewing, encouraging viewers to follow the winding path of faith alongside Abraham’s family. Today it offers a charming window into both biblical tradition and the everyday artistic culture of the late Renaissance.

About the Artist

unknown

The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...