The Sacrifice of Isaac (1636)

Rembrandt (1606-1669) & Workshop

The Sacrifice of Isaac
1636
Oil on canvas, 195 x 132.3 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

To test the steadfastness of his faith, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Only at the very last moment did an angel prevent him from being killed. The picture’s composition that captures the drama of the story in the Old Testament came from Rembrandt; the painting itself however was executed by a master pupil and later corrected by Rembrandt—“Rembrandt verandert. En over geschildert” (Altered and overpainted by Rembrandt) the inscription reads at the bottom edge of the painting. (APM)