Pharaoh Gives Sarah Back to Abraham
1640
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
96.9; 129.6; 7.5
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
outer size: depth 7.5 cm (support incl. frame)
Art Historical Context
In the grand tradition of Dutch Golden Age history painting, Isaac Isaacsz's *Pharaoh Gives Sarah Back Abraham* (1640) captures a dramatic biblical episode from Genesis 12. Here, the Pharaoh—afflicted by divine plagues for taking the prophet Abraham's wife Sarah, believing her to be his sister—returns her unharmed. Isaacsz, a Leiden-based artist known for his narrative scenes, infuses the moment with tension and moral clarity, emphasizing themes of faith, providence, and human folly that resonated deeply in the Protestant Netherlands of the 17th century. Rendered in oil on canvas, a medium prized for its luminous depth and versatility, the work measures 96.9 × 129.6 cm—ideal for immersive storytelling in civic or church settings. Isaacsz's technique likely employs rich glazes and chiaroscuro to heighten the emotional exchange, drawing viewers into the opulent Egyptian court. Housed in the Rijksmuseum, this painting exemplifies how Dutch artists transformed sacred stories into visual sermons, blending classical composition with contemporary relevance. A testament to Isaacsz's skill, it invites reflection on divine intervention amid worldly power.
About the Artist
Isaac Isaacsz · 1589–1689
Comment on works: History; Portraits