The artwork, titled “Sacrifice of Isaac” by Caravaggio, was created in the year 1602. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Baroque period with a focus on tenebrism, a technique identified by the stark contrast between light and dark. The dimensions of the artwork are 104 x 135 cm, and it is classified as a religious painting. The piece is housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, and is part of the Barbara Piasecka-Johnson Collection located at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ, USA.
In the artwork, Caravaggio captures the dramatic and poignant moment from the Biblical narrative where Abraham is poised to sacrifice his son, Isaac, at God’s command. The scene is infused with intense emotion, as depicted by Abraham’s stern expression and heavy grip on the knife, juxtaposed with Isaac’s pained and fearful face. A divine intervention is imminent, signified by an angel who halts Abraham’s hand, preventing the act. The light falls dramatically on the central figures, throwing the background into deep shadow, which enhances the tension and focal impact of the scene. A ram, destined to replace Isaac as the sacrifice, stands to the right, partially illuminated, signifying the providence and mercy of God. The use of tenebrism in the artwork accentuates the emotional gravity and divine intervention inherent in this historical and religious moment.
