Fanfani Enrico ( 1824 – 1885) - Hagar et Ismael

The theme of Hagar and Ismael is very early in the painting. From the beginning of the 16th century, this theme appears in Dutch painting, and it will inspire artists such as Corot until the 19th century.

Enrico FANFANI ( 1824 – 1885)
History painter, he draws his inspiration from biblical episodes and mythological stories. This painting, of which there are several versions, is inspired by the literature of travels in oriental lands published in the second half of the 19th century in Italy, such as the stories of Amalia Nizzoli or Giovanni Brocchi.
With the encyclopaedic spirit of the 18th century, these writers will accurately report all their observations, which will allow painters to have an exact vision of the Orient and to translate it into their paintings.

This painting is inspired by a biblical episode from the Old Testament, the story of Hagar and Ismael is told as follows:
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born.
The child grew, and he was weaned.
Abraham gave a great feast the day Isaac was weaned.
Now Sara was watching Ishmael having fun,
this son that Abraham had by Hagar the Egyptian.
She said to Abraham:
“Chase away this servant girl and her son;
for the son of this servant
must not share the inheritance of my son Isaac. »
This word greatly saddened Abraham,
because of his son Ishmael,
but God said to him:
“Do not be sad because of the boy and your maid;
listen to everything Sara tells you,
for it is by Isaac that an offspring will bear your name;
but I will also make a nation of the son of the handmaiden,
for he too is of your offspring. »
87,5 x 103,5 cm with the frame