Rembrandt van Rijn, Abraham Entertaining the Angels, 1656, etching and drypoint, 6 ½” x 5 ½”, Image via Wikiart, artwork in the Public Domain.
Abraham is an example of faith in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each of the three monotheistic religions, meaning that followers believe there is just one God, either emphasizes Abraham or traces their origins to the tribal patriarch.
Jews believe that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, are their founding ancestors. Christians view Abraham as a spiritual patriarch and an actual ancestor of Jesus. Muslims see Abraham as an important prophet in a line of prophets that begins with Adam and culminates with the greatest of all their prophets, Muhammad.
This etching by Rembrandt depicts 99-year-old Abraham at the right, entertaining two angels and God who had disguised themselves as travelers. The moment portrayed is when God gestures to reveal to Abraham that his wife Sarah (peeking through the door at the left) will have a child within a year.
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Mawlid al-Nabi from The Art Minute.
