Hagar and Ishmael, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

In this wood engraving, Hagar and her son Ishmael are cast out into the wilderness, a scene of profound desolation from the Book of Genesis. Hagar clutches Ishmael, her face a mask of sorrow and resignation as she gazes into the distance. The artist emphasizes the harshness of their exile through the spare, almost barren landscape. A lone, gnarled tree offers no comfort, its branches reaching like skeletal fingers. The delicate lines of the engraving create a sense of vulnerability for the figures against the vast, indifferent environment. This image was part of a larger project, Dalziels' Bible Gallery, which brought together prominent artists of the time to illustrate biblical narratives, showcasing the era's renewed interest in detailed, emotionally resonant religious art.