Hagar en Ismaël in de woestijn
Jan van Somer
1676
Medium
paper
Dimensions
218; 268
About this artwork
F.G. Waller Bequest, Amsterdam
Art Historical Context
Jan van Somer's *Hagar en Ismaël in de woestijn* (Hagar and Ish in the Desert), created in 1676, a poignant biblical moment from the Book of Genesis. The scene depicts the Egyptian servant Hagar and her son Ishmael, exiled the barren wilderness by Abraham at Sarah's urging, facing thirst and despair until divine intervention provides a well of water. This intimate drawing on paper, measuring just 218 × 268 mm, invites viewers to contemplate themes of faith, survival, and providence that resonated deeply in 17th-century Dutch culture. As a product of the Dutch Golden Age, van Somer's work refl...