19th Century KPM Porcelain Plaque of Hagar and Ishmael Banished from the House of Abraham

Depicted on this Berlin porcelain plaque, a young boy looks longingly over his shoulder as he is being lead away from the young child and older figures who stand on the steps, seemingly reaching out to him. Highlighted in the centre of the composition, with her back to the viewer, is a woman leading the young boy away from the house, turning to engage with the older man who is reluctantly sending them into the twilight. This image represents the story of Genesis 21, of Abraham banishing Hagar and Ishmael from their home. After being directed by Sarah to banish Hagar and Ishmael from their home, Abraham rose early the next morning and prepared bread and a skin of water for their journey, and sent them, reluctantly, away - to wander through the wilderness of Beersheba. The compositional light source, the spotlight effect, exemplifies the masterful execution of the artist's hand; the rich colours and detailed stitching of the costumes pop off the shadowed background, and the elegant folds of the drapery showcase the movement and form of the figures. The painting sits within an elaborate antique hand carved giltwood frame. This work is after the piece of the same title by Adriaen Van der Werff (Dutch, 1659-1722), a Dutch painter of religious and mythological scenes and portraits, who combined the precise finish of the Leiden tradition with the classical standards of the French Academy. His "Hagar and Ishmael Banished from the House of Abraham" was extensively reproduced by KPM porcelain painters throughout the 19th century.

Dimensions: 15.5 x 13.5 x 1.75 in.

Date: c. 1880