Abraham's Sacrifice (c. 1520)

Dated c. 1520, "Abraham's Sacrifice" is an artwork by Albrecht Altdorfer. Religion, a short history: Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Context for c. 1520: The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries. It is listed in the Religion collection. The image is in portrait orientation.

On onlly.art "Abraham's Sacrifice" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour.

German, 1480–1538

If you like the visual language of Albrecht Altdorfer, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.