“Abraham and the Three Angels” by Raphael

“Abraham and the Three Angels” by Raphael

c.1742

Engraving

The historic Old Testament narrative "Abraham and the Three Angels" is beautifully captured in this 18th-century hand-colored copperplate engraving. Replicating a celebrated fresco composition designed by the High Renaissance master Raphael, the scene portrays the elderly, bearded Abraham prostrating himself on the ground in front of a rustic wooden structure while his wife, Sarah, peers out subtly from the dark doorway. Standing before him in a wide pastoral landscape are the three angelic visitors clad in flowing tunics, gestured against a backdrop of rolling hills and a light blue sky. A highly ornate, architectural border frames the central window, decorated with classical grotteschi elements such as eagles, putti, and sphinx-like sirens along the base. The Latin text banner along the bottom quotes Genesis 18, reading "APPARUERUNT EI TRES VIRI ET CUCURRIT ABRAHAM DE OSTIO TABERNACULI SUI ET ADORAVIT IN TERRAM Gen. XVIII." The bottom margins attribute the original fresco layout to Raphael on the left ("Raph. Sanct. pinx.") and the fine line engraving to Antonio Regona on the right ("Ant. Regona sculp.").

This engraving reflects the profound 18th-century European fascination with classical antiquity and the visual reconstruction of ancient literary figures. Created during a period when aristocratic collectors and scholars eagerly built expansive libraries of historical prints, this work showcases the sophisticated collaborative printmaking networks of Italy. Artists like Francesco de Grado specialized in translating classical narratives into accessible, highly detailed two-dimensional portraits that blended historical armor studies with allegorical landscapes. Prints like this hold significant historical importance because they served a dual purpose, functioning both as high-status decorative art for grand European estates and as vital academic reference tools used by Enlightenment-era scholars to study classical mythology, literature, and design.

Dimensions: H 13” x 17 ½” W

Condition: In very good condition