“The Repudiation of Hagar,” an oil on canvas painting by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, was completed in 1719. As a work of the Rococo art movement, this religious painting measures 96 by 136 cm. The artwork captures a significant biblical narrative moment in a complex interplay of light and shadow.
In the artwork, Tiepolo masterfully illustrates the poignant biblical scene in which Hagar, a concubine of Abraham, is being dismissed. The figures are arranged amid a backdrop that suggests depth and narrative context, emphasizing the emotional gravity of the moment. Hagar is depicted in a dejected posture, lying near the base of a set of steps, suggesting her despair and vulnerability. Abraham, with an arm extended, appears resolute in his decision, while other figures, including a distressed woman and child, add layers of emotional complexity to the depiction. The color palette is characteristically muted yet warm, with the use of chiaroscuro enhancing the dramatic tension of the scene. The painting is a testament to Tiepolo’s ability to convey profound human emotions through the delicate balance of composition and light.
