Marc Chagall

(1887 - 1985)

Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert - 1960

Lithograph - Size 13.85" x 10.14"

Original Lithograph from the Bible suite from VERVE 37/38 summer 1960- Unnumbered  and unsigned edition 

This is the original lithograph from Chagall's Bible II series, as referenced in Mourlots catalogue raisonné.

From the Bible Series

Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert (M. 241). Original color lithograph, 1960. 50 signed and numbered impressions plus 6500 unsigned impressions for Verve. Paintings on the life of Abraham tend to focus on only a few incidents: The sacrifice of Isaac; Meeting Melchizedek; Entertaining the three angels; Hagar in the desert; and a few others.^[36] Many artists have been inspired by the life of Abraham: Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), Caravaggio (1573–1610), Rembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) created at least seven works on Abraham, Petrus-Paulus Rubens (1577–1640) did several, Donatello, Raphael, Philip van Dyck (Dutch painter, 1680–1753), Marc Chagall did at least five on Abraham, Gustave Doré (French illustrator, 1832–1883) did six, Claude Lorrain (French painter, 1600–1682), James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French painter and illustrator, 1836–1902) did over twenty works on the subject.^[36] Wikipedia/Abraham

Abraham was fond of his son Ishmael who had grown up to be thirteen years old when his son Isaac was born. However, with Sarah, things were never the same with Ishmael's mother Hagar, back in her life. Now that Sarah had finally borne her own child, she could no longer stand the sight of either Hagar or Ishmael. When the teenager was jesting around, Sarah told Abraham to send the two of them away. She declared that Ishmael would not share in Isaac's inheritance. Abraham was greatly distressed by his wife's words and sought the advice of his God. The Lord told Abraham not to be distressed but to do as his wife commanded. God reassured Abraham that "in Isaac shall seed be called to thee." (Genesis 21:12) He also said that Ishmael would make a nation, "because he is thy seed", too. (Genesis 21:9–13)

Early the next morning, Abraham brought Hagar and Ishmael out together. He gave her bread and water and sent them away. The two wandered the wilderness of Beersheba until her bottle of water was completely consumed. In a moment of despair, she burst in tears. The boy then called to God and upon hearing him, an angel of God confirmed to Hagar that he would become a great nation. A well of water then appeared so that it saved their lives. As the boy grew, he became a skilled archer living in the wilderness of Paran. Eventually his mother found a wife for Ishmael from her home country, the land of Egypt. (Genesis 21:14–21) Wikipedia/Abraham

In Jewish and Christian tradition, Abraham is the father of the Israelites through his son Isaac. In Islamic tradition, Abraham is considered a prophet of Islam, an ancestor of Muhammad, through Ishmael. Muslims regard him as an example of the perfect Muslim, and the revered reformer of the Kaaba in Mecca. Bahá'u'lláh, the prophet of the Baha'i Faith, affirms the highest religious station for Abraham. In the New Testament Abraham is described as a man of faith. He is regarded as the patron saint of those in the hospitality industry.  Wikipedia/Abraham

"Ever since my earliest youth I have been fascinated by the Bible. I have always believed that it is the greatest source of poetry of all time...The Bible is an echo of nature, and this I have endeavored to transmit.... In art everything is possible, so long as it is based on love." Chagall