Hagar and Ishmael, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"
Medium
Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card
Dimensions
Image: 6 7/16 × 4 11/16 in. (16.4 × 11.9 cm) India sheet: 8 9/16 × 6 5/8 in. (21.7 × 16.9 cm) Mount: 16 7/16 in. × 12 15/16 in. (41.8 × 32.8 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Anonymous Gift, 1926
Accession Number
26.99.1(14)
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This wood engraving captures the poignant biblical scene of Hagar and her son Ishmael, cast into the wilderness after their expulsion from Abraham’s household, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. Created by Simeon Solomon and engraved by the Dalziel Brothers for the ambitious *Dalziels’ Bible Gallery* project (1863–81), the print reflects the Victorian era’s fascination with scripture through an artistic lens. Solomon, associated with the Pre-Raphaelite circle, brought a sensitive, symbolic approach to the subject, emphasizing emotional depth and human vulnerability in the figures of the despairing mother and her young son. The work exemplifies the refined technique of wood engraving on India paper, a method prized in the nineteenth century for its ability to reproduce intricate details with tonal subtlety. Published by Camden Press and distributed through Scribner and Welford, the *Bible Gallery* brought together leading artists to illustrate key Old Testament narratives, elevating commercial printmaking to a fine-art level. Now in the Metropolitan Museum’s collection, this impression highlights the collaborative nature of Victorian illustration while inviting viewers to reflect on themes of exile, faith, and maternal devotion that continue to resonate today.
About the Artist
Camden Press|Scribner and Welford|Dalziel Brothers|Simeon Solomon (British|American|British) · 1857 |1800 |1839 –1893 |1899 |1893
British, London|New York, NY|British, active 1839–93