Italian school of the late seventeenth century."The sacrifice of Isaac."Oil on canvas. Relined.It presents chips and overpaints.Measurements: 265.5 x 215.5 cm; 171 x 221 cm (frame).In this canvas the artist presents the theme of the sacrifice of Isaac through a calm language, not particularly dramatic, with clear references to antiquity in the models and anatomies and a perfectly calculated and balanced composition, at the same time perfectly understandable and narrative. The main scene is set in the foreground, with Isaac on a mound of earth, in the manner of a sacrificial altar, mourning in his posture. Abraham, his father, unsheathes his sword in his right hand, ready to sacrifice him. To the left of the composition appears the lamb and the angel who will prevent the act. The scene relates the moment described in the Old Testament in which Abraham, following God's orders, prepares to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. God, seeing that Abraham follows his command with blind faith, sees his faithfulness tested and sends an angel to save Isaac at the last moment, ordering that a lamb be offered in his place. This scene illustrates the theological concept that tells us that divine mercy rewards those who have faith, and in it we see Abraham's unquestioning acceptance of the divine message, as well as Isaac's absolute meekness.