After a long and (for me) painful absence for conservation, Andrea del Sarto’s The Sacrifice of Isaac is once again on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The Sacrifice of Isaac, by Andrea del Sarto
del Sarto’s unfinished masterpiece from 1527 is on a massive wooden panel. The painting’s unfinished state opens a window into the artist’s studio, and shows us his working method. The under-painting is done and the pencil design can be seen through the beginnings of the over painting. The artist’s changes, such as the position of the angel, are readily apparent.
I love the drama of the painting and the artist’s ease with which he makes changes to the carefully crafted design. This painting fascinates me and I always make it the last painting I visit when at the museum. Seeing it once again in its old spot made my day.