Hagar And Ishmael, Gen. Ch. XXI. V. 19

Description

This engraving depicts the scene of God's rescue of Hagar and her son Ishmael in the desert, described in verse 19 of the Book of Genesis, chapter 21, of the Old Testament. At the center of the composition is the moment when Hagar, her mother, gives water to Ishmael, who is exhausted by thirst in the desert. Hagar's protective and compassionate body reaching out to her child represents the sanctity of motherhood and the human spirit that acts with compassion even in times of helplessness. The engraving is also a visual representation of Divine mercy and God's grace. This scene was envisioned immediately after the miraculous moment when God showed Hagar a source of water and saved them from death. The ornamental frame around the image emphasizes the sacredness of the story, while the smaller scenes on either side symbolize Hagar's expulsion and Ishmael's becoming an archer, providing a visual narrative of the temporal progression of this sacred narrative.