Abraham and Isaac

Netherlandish 17th Century

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture features two central human figures within an ovular frame. One figure is an older man standing upright, holding a dagger or knife in his raised hand against a backdrop of clouds and sky that reveal a smaller winged figure. The older man stands beside a younger kneeling figure on an altar. Surrounding them are elements from nature such as trees and a landscape. The sculpture is made of a bronze-like material with a shiny, reflective surface and subtle color variations. The figures and details stand out in relief from the background.