About the Painting

The Sacrifice of Abraham

by: Paolo (Paolo Cagliari) Veronese

The Sacrifice of Abraham portrays the biblical moment when Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God, only to be stopped by an angel at the last instant. Paolo Veronese heightens the drama through strong diagonal composition, glowing light on Isaac and the angel, and Abraham’s shadowed expression of anguish and surprise. The ram provided for sacrifice symbolizes Christ’s future sacrifice, while the painting’s rich colors, movement, and expansive landscape reflect Veronese’s mature Venetian style.

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