And it came to pass after these things, that G‑d tested Abraham, and He said to him, "Abraham," and he said, "Here I am." And He said, "Please take your son, your only one, whom you love, yea, Isaac, and go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains, of which I will tell you." (Genesis 22:1-2)
In this abstract rendition of the Akeida, the solitary figures of Avraham and Yitzchak prepare for their awesome task, surrounded by a vast expanse of time and space. The rich red palette creates a sense of dramatic tension, of blood, of life and death. Shrouded in mystery, the scene echoes the poignancy of this ultimate test of faith.
This very large canvas was painted with hands and fingers, digging and scratching through layers of paint. This created rays of light and left a depth of variation in the dark shadow. The painting was worked on for over 20 years, destroying, refining and perfecting it, adding layer over layer while searching for something hidden within. This demanded a kind of nullification, a relinquishing of control over the creative process. The title "Akeida" is a kind of double image—the offering of years of struggle in pigment became an apt foundation for a portrayal of Avraham's poignant offering on Mount Moriah.
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