Abraham and Isaac

Isaac Broome was primarily known as a sculptor and ceramicist rather than a printmaker, making this etching and drypoint work a rare glimpse into his graphic arts practice. Born in 1836, Broome achieved considerable fame for his parian porcelain sculptures and decorative reliefs, including work for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. This intimate print depicts the dramatic biblical moment when Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac—one of the most frequently illustrated stories in Western art.

The small scale of this print—barely larger than a postcard—creates an intensely personal viewing experience. Broome's use of drypoint, a technique where the artist scratches directly into the metal plate creating a rich, velvety line, suggests he was experimenting with expressive mark-making beyond his sculptural work. The choice of white laid paper would have enhanced the tonal contrasts possible in the printing process. Given Broome's expertise in three-dimensional form through his ceramic work, notice how he translates that understanding of volume and drama into the two-dimensional medium of printmaking. This work represents a fascinating intersection between his sculptural sensibilities and the more experimental realm of intaglio printing.