CARAVAGGIO
(b. 1571, Caravaggio, d. 1610, Porto Ercole)

The Sacrifice of Isaac (detail)

1601-02
Oil on canvas
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence

The angel, seen in profile at the left-hand edge of the picture, is pointing to a view of the landscape with his powerfully extended index-finger. At first glance he is indicating the ram rather then Isaac, but his finger is pointing beyond this towards the liberating landscape on the right.