Hagar Leaves the House of Abraham by Peter Paul Rubens, Genesis 16:1-16, Bible.Gallery
Artwork Description
How does it feel like if two people you love ask you to choose between them? Well this is actually from the Story of Abraham and Hagar. Abraham had a wife named Sarah. Sarah could not give him a child, so she told him to sleep with her maid servant so that she can give Abraham a child for their family. Hagar became pregnant and had Ishmel. A few years later, Sarah became pregnant and had Isaac. Sarah was not happy about Hagar living with Abraham so she chases Hagar and Ishmael out. Abraham prays to god to not let Hagar and Ishmael die, and Hagar and Ishmael get water. The Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael by Johann Friedrich Overbeck and The Hagar Leaves the House of Abraham by Peter Paul Rubens both exhibit the Biblical story of Hagar leaving Sarah and Abraham. As displayed by the expression of Abraham and the women in both paintings, Overbeck’s painting suggests that Abraham is trying to compromise and comfort both women because of his two kids, whereas Rubens’ painting suggests that Abraham is a little afraid and devastated of his wife Sarah so he steps back. Rubens’ painting displays Abraham as a man who scared of his wife because Hagar does not have her child yet, while in Overbeck’s painting, Abraham is displayed as a guy who loves his children.