,%20c.%201480-1490_Los%20Angeles,%20c.%201480-1490_MS%20101,%20fol.%2011+2.jpg) |
| The Sacrifice of Isaac Single Leaf from an Illustrated Vita Christi English (East Anglia), c. 1480-1490 Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum MS 101, fol. 11 |
“God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one,
whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to
you."
Early the
next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him two of his servants and
his son Isaac, and after cutting the wood for the burnt offering, set out for the
place of which God had told him.
On the third
day Abraham caught sight of the place from a distance.
Abraham said
to his servants: “Stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go on over
there. We will worship and then come back to you.”
So Abraham
took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac, while he
himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two walked on together,
Isaac spoke
to his father Abraham. “Father!” he said. “Here I am,” he replied. Isaac
continued, “Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the
burnt offering?”
“My son,”
Abraham answered, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering.” Then the
two walked on together.
When they came to the place of which God
had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged
the wood on it.
Then he reached out and took the knife to
slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from
heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the
boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own
beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the
thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place
of his son.
Abraham
named that place Yahweh-yireh; hence people today say, “On the mountain the
LORD will provide.”
Again the LORD's messenger called to
Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved
son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of
the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of
the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my
command."
Abraham then
returned to his servants, and they set out together for Beer-sheba, where
Abraham lived."
Genesis 22:1-19
Verses 1-2,
9A, 10-13, 15-18 (shown above in blue bold type) constitute the First Reading for the Second
Sunday of Lent, Year B
Abraham is a figure of tremendous importance to three of the world’s great religions. Both Judaism and Islam claim him as their literal blood ancestor, through his sons by different mothers: Isaac for the Jews and Ishmael for the Arabs. He is equally revered in Christianity as both a blood ancestor of Jesus and the “father in faith” of all Christians.
 |
| Frieda Leah Shifman, The Story of Abraham and Isaac Israeli, c. 1879-1880 New York, Jewish Museum |
Abraham is the first to make
a covenant with God, sealed with the blood of circumcision in every generation;
he receives the three mysterious visitors, perhaps angels, perhaps the three
persons of the Trinity, who predict that in his extreme old age he and his
wife, Sarah (who had up till then been unable to conceive a child), will become
parents and that their descendants will be “as countless as the stars of the
sky and the sands of the seashore” (Genesis 22:17).
The story of
how God tested Abraham’s faith by requesting that he sacrifice the only son of
his wife, Sarah, the son through whom he was to produce the favored “countless”
descendants stands at the center of the story of Abraham. It is his complete trust in God and his
willingness to follow this terrible request that is a measure of his adherence
to the covenant and his faith and that earns him the confirmation of God’s
promise.
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From Hours of Constable Anne de Montmorency French, 1549 Chantilly, Musée Condé MS Ms1476, fol. 5v |
For
Christians this story also has a particularly poignant relevance. It was cited as an exemplar of faith in
action as early as the first few decades after the Resurrection in the Letter
to the Hebrews (probably written as early as the 60s AD1 when the
Temple still stood and a majority of Christians were Jewish):
“By faith Abraham,
when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises
was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac
descendants shall bear your name.”
He reasoned that God was able to raise even
from the dead and he received Isaac back as a symbol.”
(Hebrews
11:17-19)
Abraham’s
wiliness to comply with God’s command and Isaac’s participation in its
preparation by carrying the wood for the holocaust were seen as prefigurations
pointing to Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary.
 |
| Master of Edward IV, Christ Carrying the Cross and Isaac Carrying the Wood for the Sacrifice From Speculum humanae salvationis Flemish (Bruges), c. 1485 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 6275, fol. 23v |
This idea is made
explicit in such statements as the following, from the Wakefield Cycle of
mystery plays
“Good Christian people, these that ye have seen
Are
foreshadowers of Jesu's sacrifice,
Bearing the
woes of earth most keen,
Without
gainsaying, in God's service.
So
Christians all that sorrow borne
And kept
God's word without a miss,
Jesu, that
wore the crown of thorn,
Bring them
all to heaven's bliss.”
Spoken by
“an angel” in the “Sacrifice of Isaac” section of the Wakefield Mystery Plays
(English, early 15th Century)2
Iconographic Survey
In Christian
iconography the subject also appears very early. It is one of the most popular elements in the
early sarcophagi produced for Roman Christians immediately after the
recognition of Christianity as a legitimate religion by the Edict of Milan in
315. It can usually be found on a corner of the sarcophagus frontal, or prominently placed near the central scene.
 |
| Fragment of a Sarcophagus with the Sacrifice of Isaac Roman, c. 300-325 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| Sarcophagus Frontal with Old and New Testament Scenes Roman, c. 300-325 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| Sarcophagus with New Testament Scenes and Sacrifice of Isaac Roman, c. 300-325 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| Sarcophagus Frontal with Portraits of a Husband and Wife Roman, c. 325-350 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| Sarcophagus frontal with Old and New Testament Scenes Roman, c. 325-350 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| Sarcophagus Frontal with Old and New Testament Scenes Roman, c. 325-350 Vatican City, Museo Pio Cristiano |
 |
| The Sacrifice of Isaac Roman, 4th Century St. Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac in African Red Slip Ware Bowl Late Roman Provincial (Tunisia), c. 350-430 Boston, Museum of Fine Arts |
Its
popularity has remained constant for nearly all of the 1,700 years since that
time. Initially, as in those above, the images showed the next to last act of the Sacrifice of Isaac, the moment at
which Abraham stands posed with his knife, ready to slay his son.
Indeed, the image is so compelling that it has been repeated innumerable times between the fourth century and the twenty-first.
Indeed, the image is so compelling that it has been repeated innumerable times between the fourth century and the twenty-first.
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac Fragment from a Portable Altar French, Beginning of 11th Century Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Capital with the Sacrifice of Isaac Catalan,, c. 1100 Jaca, Cathedral |
 |
| The Sacrifice of Isaac From Commentary on Psalms 1-50 French (Noyon), c. 1195-1205 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 338, fol.200v |
 |
| Master of the Roman de Fauvel, Sacrifice of Isaac From Bible historiale of Guiard des Moulins French (Paris), c. 1300-1350 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS 156, fol. 25 |
 |
| Workshop of the Boucicaut Master, Sacrifice of Isaac From Bible historiale by Guiard des Moulins French (Paris), c. 1400-1424 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 394, fol. 20r |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac German, 16th Century London, Victoria and Albert Museum |
 |
| Cristofano Allori, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1600-1625 Cherbourg-Octeville, Musée Thomas Henry |
 |
| Workshop of Conrad Schueler Witwe, Sacrifice of Isaac German, 1696 Celle, Evanglical Church |
 |
| William Blake, The Sacrifice of Isaac English, c. 1783 Boston, Museum of Fine Arts |
 |
| Marc Chagall, Sacrifice of Isaac Russian, c. 1960-1966 Nice, Musée national Marc Chagall |
But the
climax is not the only part of the story that was represented. Virtually every part of the story has been
depicted by artists.
From the moment in which God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac
 |
| Jean Colombe and Workshop, God Tells Abraham to Sacrifice From the Hours of Anne of France French (Bourges), c. 1470-1490 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 677, fol. 106r |
To the journey toward the mountain
 |
| Master of the Bible of Jean de Sy, Abraham and Isaac Travel to the Mountain From the Bible of Jean de Sy French (Paris), c. 1355-1390 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 15397, fol. 35 |
 |
| Moyses van Uyttenbroeck, Abraham and Isaac Begin to Ascend the Mountain Dutch, 1620 Rennes, Musée des Beaux-Arts |
To Isaac carrying the wood
 |
| Abraham and Isaac French, c. 1235-1280 Reims, Cathedral of Notre Dame |
 |
| Abraham and Isaac From Weltchronik German (Regensburg), c. 1355-1365 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 769, fol. 47v |
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| Master of Guillebert de Mets, Abraham and Isaac From a Book of Hours French (Lille), c. 1440-1450 New York Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 304, fol. 17r |
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| Hektor and Georg Mullich, Abraham and Isaac Set Out From a Geman Textual Miscellany German (Augsburg), c. 1450-1460 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 782, fol. 38v |
 |
| Abraham and Isaac, Going to the Mountain From Speculum humanae salvationis French, c. 1450 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 188, fol. 26v |
 |
| Lucas van Leyden, Abraham and Isaac Dutch, c. 1517-1519 New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
 |
| Gaspard Dughet, Landscape with Abraham and Isaac French, c. 1665 London, National Gallery |
 |
| Jean Restout, Abraham Taking Leave of His Servants French, c. 1730-1750 Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Johann Heinrich Ferdinand Olivier, Abraham and Isaac German, 1817 London, National Gallery |
 |
| James Tissot, Abraham and Isaac French, c. 1896-1902 New York, Jewish Museum |
To Abraham explaining to Isaac that he must kill him
 |
| Jan Victors, Abraham and Isaac Flemish, 1642 Tel Aviv, Museum |
 |
| Rembrandt van Rijn, Abraham and Isaac Dutch, 1645 New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
 |
| Antoine Coypel, Abraham and Isaac French, c. 1700 Valenciennes, Musée des Beaux-Arts |
 |
| Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, Abraham and Isaac German, c. 1750 Budapest, Szépmûvészeti Múzeum |
 |
| David Teniers, Abraham and Isaac Sacrifice the Ram Flemish, c. 1653 Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum |
 |
| Henri Joseph Francoise Baron de Triqueti, Isaac Welcomed by His Mother French, c. 1825-1874 Chantilly, Musée Condé |
 |
| Anonymous, Abraham and Isaac Returning to Sarah Danish, Late 19th-Early 20th Century Viborg, Domkircke |
Some see Isaac standing
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From the Tiptoft Missal English (Cambridge), c. 1315-1325 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 107, fol. 141v |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From Les anciennes hystoires rommaines French (Paris), c. 1375-1400 London, British Library MS Royal 16 G VII, fol. 28 |
 |
| Johann Joseph Resler, Abraham and Isaac Austrian, c. 1762 Vienna, Belvedere Museum |
Some see Isaac kneeling
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From Church of Notre-Dame-de-la Couldre, Parthenay French, Mid-12th Century Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From Bible historiale of Guiard des Moulins French (Paris), c. 1400 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 9, fol. 25v |
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| Lorenzo Monaco, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1408-1410 New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
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| Donatello, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1418 Florence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo |
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| Genesis Window German, c. 1430 Ulm, Cathedral of Our Lady |
 |
| Master of Margaret of York, Sacrifice of Isaac From Compendium historiae universalis by Aegidius of Roya Flemish, c. 1450-1460 The Hague, Meermano Museum MS RMMW 10 A 21, fol. 3r |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From a Bible moralisee Flemish (Bruges), c. 1455-1460 The Hague, Koninklijk Bibliotheek MS KB 76 E 7, fol. 7v |
 |
| Rambures Master, Sacrifice of Isaac From Histoire ancienne jusqu'a Cesar Flemish, c. 1455-1465 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 212.020v |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From a Breviary French, c. 1506-1516 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 8.061r |
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| Albrecht Altdorfer, Abraham and Isaac German, c. 1520-1525 Strasbourg, Cabinet des estampes et des dessins |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac (Detail) French, c. 1550-1600 Monfort-l'Amaury, Church of Saint Pierre |
 |
| Peter Paul Rubens, Sacrifice of Isaac Flemish, c. 1612-1613 Kansas City (MO), The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art |
 |
| David Teniers the Younger After Veronese, Sacrifice of Isaac Flemish, c. 1654-1656 Chicago, Art Institute |
 |
| Rembrandt van Rijn, Sacrifice of Isaac Dutch, c. 1655 Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum |
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| Giuseppe Piamontini, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, 1722 Florence, Palazzo Pitti |
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| Leonardo Coccorante, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1730-1740 Beauvais, MUDO, Musée de l'Oise |
 |
| William Blake, Sacrifice of Isaac English, c. 1783 Boston, Museum of Fine Arts |
Some few see Isaac lying on the ground.
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From the The Golden Hagaddah Spanish (Catalonia), c. 1325-1350 London, British Library MS Additional 27210, fol. 4v |
 |
| Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1724-1729 Udine, Palazzo Patriarcale |
But the vast majority of artists have imagined Isaac positioned on the altar of sacrifice, frequently bound, as he awaits the first stroke of his father’s knife.
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From the Huntingfield Psalter English (Oxford), c. 1210-1220 New York, Pierpoint Morgan Library MS M 43, fol. 11 |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac Single Leaf from a Missal English, c. 1220-1225 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 914 |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From Compendium historiae in genealogia Christi by Peter of Poitiers English, c. 1250-1275 London, British Library MS Additional 60628-1, Image 3 |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From Psalter of St. Louis French (Paris), c. 1270 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 10525, fol. 10 |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From a Breviary Flemish (Cambrai), c. 1275-1300 The Hague, Koninklijk Bibliotheek MS KB 76 J 18, fol. 273r |
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| _Jacopo Torriti, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1290 Assisi, Church of San Francesco, Upper Church |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac From a Haggadah for Passover Spanish (Castille), c. 1300 London, British Library MS Oriental 2737, fol. 93v |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From The Taymouth Hours English (London), c. 1325-1350 London, British Library MS Yates Thompson 13, fol. 25v |
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| The Angel Intervenes From The Taymouth Hours English (London), c. 1325-1350 London, British Library MS Yates Thompson 13, fol. 26 |
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| Michiel van der Borch, Sacrifice of Isaac From Rhimebible by Jacob van Maerlant Dutch (Utrecht), 1332 The Hague, Meermano Museum MS RMMW 10 B 21, fol. 13r |
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| Sacrifice of Isaac From Weltchronik German (Regensburg), c. 1355-1365 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 769, fol. 048r |
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| Workshop of the Boucicaut Master, Sacrifice of Isaac From Bible historiale by Guiard des Moulins French (Paris), c. 1400-1424 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M 394, fol. 20r |
 |
| Filippo Brunelleschi, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, 1401 Florence, Museo Nazionale del Bargello |
 |
| Lorenzo Ghiberti, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, 1401 Florence, Museo Nazional del Bargello |
 |
| Lorenzo Ghiberti, The Story of Abraham Italian, c. 1425-1452 Florence, Baptistery The plaque above, from Ghiberti's second set of doors for the Baptistery of Florence, include several episodes from the life of Abraham and demonstrate how much understanding of perspective and complex composition had advanced in just over two decades. |
 |
| Master of Jouvenal and Workshop, Sacrifice of Isaac From Mare historiarum of John of Cologne French (Anjou), c. 1447-1455 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 4915, fol. 32 |
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| Robert Boyvin, Sacrifice of Isaac From a Book of Hours French (Rouen), c. 1495-1505 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS H 1, fol. 41r |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac German, 16th Century London, Victoria and Albert Museum |
 |
| Brass Dish with the Sacrifice of Isaac German, 16th Century Philadelphia, Museum of Art |
 |
| Raphael and Assistants, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1513-1514 Vatican City, Apostolic Palace, Stanza d'Eliodoro, Ceiling |
 |
| Giulio Romano, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1516-1518 Los Angeles, J. Paul Getty Museum Giulio Romano was one of the most gifted of Raphael's assistants. |
 |
| Lucas Cranach the Elder, Sacrifice of Isaac German, c. 1523-1526 Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum |
 |
| Michelangelo Buonarotti, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1525-1526 Florence, Casa Buonarotti |
 |
| Titian, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1542-1544 Venice, Church of Santa Maria della Salute |
 |
| Jean Mignon After Primaticcio, Sacrifice of Isaac French, c. 1545 Philadelphia, Museum of Art |
 |
| Etienne Delaune, Sacrifice of Isaac French, c. 1550-1583 Strasbourg, Cabinet des estampes et des dessins |
 |
| Bernard Palissy, Ceramic Dish with Sacrifice of Isaac French, c. 1560-1580 Limoges, Musée national Adrien Dubouche |
 |
| Attributed to P.M., Silver Dish with Sacrifice of Isaac English, c. 1567 New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art |
 |
| Tintoretto, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1577-1578 Venice, Scuola Grande di San Rocco |
 |
| Paolo Veronese, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1585-1588 Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado |
 |
| Annibale Carracci, Sacrifice of Isaac in a Landscape Italian, c. 1590-1600 Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Caravaggio, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1603-1604 Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi
Here Caravaggio gives us a more realistic vision of the subject, including the facial expression of the struggling Isaac, who in this painting, is not a calmly acquiescent character. |
 |
| Il Cigoli, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1607 Florence, Galleria Palatina del Palazzo Pitt |
 |
| Pieter Lastman, Sacrifice of Isaac Dutch, 1612 Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum |
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| Peter Paul Rubens, Sacrifice of Isaac Flemish, c. 1620 Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Jacob Jordaens, Sacrifice of Isaac Flemish, c. 1625-1626 Milan, Pinacoteca di Brera |
 |
| Domenichino, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1627-1628 Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado |
 |
| Cornelis de Vos and Jan Wildens, Sacrifice of Isaac Flemish, c. 1631-1635 Frankfurt-am-Main, Städel Museum |
 |
| Rembrandt van Rijn, Sacrifice of Isaac Dutch, 1635 St. Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum |
 |
| Mathias Stomer, Sacrifice of Isaac Dutch, c. 1640 Ajaccio, Palais Fesch, Musée des Beaux-Arts |
 |
| Laurent de La Hyre, Sacrifice of Isaac French, c. 1650 Detroit, Institute of Arts |
 |
| Juan de Valdes Leal, Sacrifice of Isaac Spanish, c. 1657-1659 Private Collection |
 |
| Giovanni Antonio Burrini, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1685 Paris, Musée du Louvre |
 |
| Mattia Bortoloni, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1717-1718 Piombino Dese, Villa Comaro |
 |
| Johann Michael Rottmayr, Sacrifice of Isaac German, c. 1728-1730 Maria-Lanzendorf, Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Sorrows |
 |
| Anonymous, Sacrifice of Isaac Italian, c. 1750-1755 Boston, Museum of Fine Arts |
 |
| Tea Caddy with Sacrifice of Isaac English, c. 1770-1800 London, Victoria and Albert Museum |
 |
| Gustave Moreau, Sacrifice of Isaac French, c. 1870-1898 Paris, Musée Gustave Moreau |
Not
infrequently, also, artists have combined the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of
his son with other scenes from the Old Testament, particularly scenes from
within the same Book of Genesis.
 |
| Mosaic Scenes from the Book of Genesis Sicilian, c. 1180 Moneale, Cathedral |
 |
| The Sacrifice of Isaac and the Arrival of Rebecca From a Psalter English (Gloucester), c. 1200-1225 Munich, Bayerische StaatsBibliothek MS Clm 835, fol. 12 |
 |
| Noah's Ark and the Sacrifice of Isaac From the Psalter of St. Louis and Blanche of Castille French, c. 1225 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Arsenal 1186, fol. 13v |
 |
| Noah's Ark and the Sacrifice of Isaac From a Psalter French (Paris), c. 1250 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 10434, fol. 11v |
 |
| Queen Mary Master, Abraham and Isaac Traveling to the Mountain and Sacrifice of Isaac From The Queen Mary Psalter English (London), c. 1310-1320 London, British Library MS Royal 2 B VII, fol. 11v |
 |
| Mazarine Master and Workshop, Sacrifice of Isaac and Joseph Thrown into the Well From Livre des merveilles of John Mandeville French (Paris), c. 1410-1420 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Francais 2810, fol. 167 |
 |
| Abraham and Isaac Traveling to the Mountain, Sacrifice of Isaac and Annunciation to Mary German, c. 1420-1430 Fischingen, Evangelical Parish Church |
 |
| Master of the Ango Hours, Crucifixion of Jesus and Sacrifice of Isaac From The Ango Hours French (Rouen), c. 1515 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Nouvelle acquisition latine 392, fol. 48 |
 |
| Jan Joest van Kalkar, Abraham and Isaac Traveling to the Mountain and Sacrifice of Isaac Dutch, c. 1505-1508 Kalkar, Church of Saint Nicholas |
 |
| Sacrifice of Isaac and Isrealites Gathering Manna From a Missal German (Maria Laach), 1558 London, British Library MS Harley 2835, fol. 145 |
 |
| Jacopo Bassano, Summer (Sacrifice of Isaac) Italian, c. 1575 Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum |
 |
| Gerard Jode After Maarten de Vos, Abraham and Isaac Traveling to the Mountain and Sacrifice of Isaac From Thesaurus sacrarum historiarum veteris testamentum Flemish, 1585London, British Museum, |
 |
| Christ Carrying the Cross and Isaac Carrying the Wood for the Sacrifice From Speculum humanae salvationis French (Alsace), c. 1370-1380 Paris, Bibliotheque nationale de France MS Latin 511, fol. 22v |
 |
| Christ Carrying the Cross and Isaac Carrying the Wood for the Sacrifice From Speculum humanae salvationis German (Nuremburg), c. 1380-1399 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS M140, fol. 24v |
 |
| Masters of Zweder van Culemborg, Crucifixion of Jesus and Sacrifice of Isaac From a Book of Hours Dutch (Utrecht), c. 1430-1435 The Hague, Koninklijk Bibliotheek MS KB 79 K 2, fol. 164r-165 |
 |
| Rambures MasterAbraham and Isaac Traveling to the Mountain, Jesus Carrying the Cross, Elijah Meeting the Widow of Zarephath Gatthering Wood From a Biblia pauperum French (Amiens), c. 1470 The Hague, Meermano Museum MS RMMW 10 A 15, fol. 31v |
 |
| Rambures Master, Sacrifice of Isaac, Crucifixion of Jesus and Isrealites Cured of Snake Bits by the Brazen Serpent From a Biblia pauperum French (Amiens), c. 1470 The Hague, Meermano Museum MS RMMW 10 A 15, fol. 32r |
 |
| Masters of the Dark Eyes, Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity and Circumcision of Jesus From a Prayer Book Dutch_c. 1490-1500 The Hague, Koninklijk Bibliotheek MS KB 135 E 19, fol.39v
In this image the connection between the story of Isaac and the life of Jesus is very subtle. The Sacrifice of Isaac appears as a bas-relief on the base of the altar on which the Infant Jesus is about to be circumcised. |
 |
| Jesus Carrying the Cross and Isaac Carrying the Wood for the Sacrifice From a Book of Hours French (Paris), c. 1495-1505 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS H 5, fol. 56r |
 |
| Crucifixion of Jesus and Sacrifice of Isaac From a Book of Hours French (Paris), c. 1495-1505 New York, Pierpont Morgan Library MS H 5, fol. 58r |
This idea,
of the equation between Isaac and Jesus, was very common in the later middle
ages. Not only did those who could the literate laity find it in their prayer books and in the Biblia pauperum and Speculum humanae salvationis, but even
the illiterate knew it from sources such as the mystery plays that were very
common in medieval towns. In English
literature, the texts of several of these plays, from Wakefield, York, Chester
and other towns, have survived in spite of a vicious crackdown on their
production in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when they were entirely
suppressed. As the Narrator of the
Chester plays says at the end of the story of Abraham and Isaac:
“By Abraham I may understand
The Father
of Heaven, that can fand
With his
son's blood to break that band
The Devil
had brought us too.
By Isaac
understand I may
Jesu that
was obedient aye,
His father's
will to work alway
His death to
undergo.” 3
This idea is even
more explicitly stated in the closing words of God the Father, spoken by the actor Brian Glover, in the 1985 production of The Mysteries, mostly drawn from the Wakefield play cycle, but incorporating parts of plays from other towns, with modernized text by the poet Tony
Harrison4 starting at 2:30 on the clip below.
1. “Hebrews:
Introduction” New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986,
1970m Washington, D.C., Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, on the web @ http://www.usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Hebrews&ch=
2. Browne, E. Martin. Religious Drama 2: Mystery
and Morality Plays, New York, Living Age Books, 1958, p. 69 @
https://archive.org/details/religiousdrama2m007883mbp
3. Matthews,
Godfrey W. “The Chester Mystery Plays”, Journal of
the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1923, p. 171 (I have modernized the spelling of
several of the words). @https://www.hslc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/76-9-Mathews.pdf
4. I would
encourage anyone interested to watch this performance. The first part of the
three plays: Nativity, The Passion and
Doomsday can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrK_MgK0hA8&t=1s
You will find it a rewarding experience.
For information on the production see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysteries
Scripture texts in this work are taken
from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by
permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New
American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from
the copyright owner.