Three Angels visit Abraham
Panel
ca. 1530-ca. 1540 (made)
ca. 1530-ca. 1540 (made)
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| Place of origin |
Abraham was the first of the patriarchs of the Old Testament and the founder of the Hebrew nation.
The events concerning Abraham took place around 2000 BC. He was married to Sarah, who was unable to conceive a child. One day on the plains of Mamre, Abraham and Sarah were visited by three strangers. Abraham offered them food and drink, as was customary in the Jewish faith. They revealed themselves as angels and said that they brought a message from God that Sarah would become pregnant. She did, and in time gave birth to Isaac. In medieval art the three angels were interpreted as a symbol of the Trinity. Their announcement was viewed as a prefigurement of the Annunciation of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.
The events concerning Abraham took place around 2000 BC. He was married to Sarah, who was unable to conceive a child. One day on the plains of Mamre, Abraham and Sarah were visited by three strangers. Abraham offered them food and drink, as was customary in the Jewish faith. They revealed themselves as angels and said that they brought a message from God that Sarah would become pregnant. She did, and in time gave birth to Isaac. In medieval art the three angels were interpreted as a symbol of the Trinity. Their announcement was viewed as a prefigurement of the Annunciation of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.
Object details
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| Object type | |
| Title | Three Angels visit Abraham (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Clear and coloured glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain. |
| Brief description | Panel of clear, coloured and flashed glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain. Depicting Abraham and the Three Angels. Made in France, probably in a workshop in Rouen, Normandy, c.1530-40. |
| Physical description | Three angels are seated at a table on which are a flagon and a bowl. In the background are trees and buildings. The panel is painted in black, silver-yellow and brown enamel. |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Formerly in Craven Cottage in Fulham, now destroyed. Bought from B. Jarvis. |
| Summary | Abraham was the first of the patriarchs of the Old Testament and the founder of the Hebrew nation. The events concerning Abraham took place around 2000 BC. He was married to Sarah, who was unable to conceive a child. One day on the plains of Mamre, Abraham and Sarah were visited by three strangers. Abraham offered them food and drink, as was customary in the Jewish faith. They revealed themselves as angels and said that they brought a message from God that Sarah would become pregnant. She did, and in time gave birth to Isaac. In medieval art the three angels were interpreted as a symbol of the Trinity. Their announcement was viewed as a prefigurement of the Annunciation of the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 70-1899 |
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| Record created | July 28, 1998 |
| Record URL |
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