Abraham Welcoming the Three Angels

1750s

Francesco Guardi

(Italian, 1712–1793)

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Culture

Italy, 18th century

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

Framed: 70.5 x 90.5 x 5.5 cm (27 3/4 x 35 5/8 x 2 3/16 in.); Unframed: 56.5 x 75.5 cm (22 1/4 x 29 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1952.235.4

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Location

201 French Neoclassical Painting & Sculpture

Description

Three of the four pictures in the series depict episodes from the life of the Old Testament figure of Abraham, beginning with the angels appearing to Abraham. According to Genesis 18, Abraham met three men at midday, and, recognizing that they were angels, humbly bowed down to them with his face touching the ground. The encounter incongruously takes place before a marble, classical portico in which a woman lurks, presumably his wife Sarah.