Abraham, Sarah, and the Angel
Jan Provost
1520
Oil on wood
71cm x58cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris
Abraham and Sarah are seen here as visited by an angel who expresses to them that Sarah would be giving birth to nations. The angel was sent to them by God to inform the couple of the impending birth of their son Isaac. The panel is incomplete since two of the three angels that came to announce the birth are missing. The lion at Abraham’s feet represents power, wisdom and justice. It is the symbol of the father, a master and guardian. The flowers seen at the bottom left of the painting represent the growing of new life in the mature soon-to-be-mother. Both Abraham and Sarah are dressed in red clothing which represents blood, the symbol of the life-principle. Red also represents the brilliant sun with its astounding strength and power. Abraham points to himself and to Sarah in disbelief as he is listening to the angel’s message. Sarah, standing in the doorway, has a faint smile on her face.
Resources:
http://cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=car_not_frame&idNotice=24007
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