Study for Abimelech Reproveth Sarah, Plate 81, Physica Sacra
before 1731
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase from the Mary Hearn Greims Fund
Accession Number
1940-110-4
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Johann Melchior Füssli, a Swiss artist and clergyman (1677–1736), created this *Study for Abimelech Reproveth Sarah, Plate 81, Physica Sacra* before 1731. Depicting a dramatic biblical scene from Genesis 20—where King Abimelech of Gerar confronts Abraham and Sarah for deceiving him about their relationship—the work served as a preparatory drawing for one of the engravings in Füssli's ambitious *Physica Sacra* series. This monumental project blended religious illustration with early scientific observation, pairing Psalms with natural history motifs to explore divine creation. As a study focuse...