TIEPOLO, Giovanni Battista
(b. 1696, Venezia, d. 1770, Madrid)

The Sacrifice of Isaac

1724-29
Fresco, 4000 x 5000 cm
Palazzo Patriarcale, Udine

The central ceiling painting depicts the sacrifice of Isaac. Accompanied by a shaft of divine light, an angel floats down on a cloud to stay Abraham's hand just as he is about to slay his son as commanded by God. The ram, which is to be sacrificed in Isaac's place can already be seen on the lower edge of the picture.