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The Sacrifice of Isaac

The Sacrifice of Isaac is a marble sculpture by Donatello and Nanni di Bartolo, dating to 1421. It originally came from the niches of the third tier of Giotto’s Campanile and was made to fit the standard shape of that niche, with two figures occupying the space of one. The life-size white marble group measures 188 x 56 cm and is now preserved in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence. The subject is the only one clearly identified among the statues on this side. The figures are arranged with strong dynamism, and Abraham is shown at the moment he seems to have received the angel’s command to stop, while Isaac recoils to the right.

Marble sculpture of The Sacrifice of Isaac showing a raised hand holding a dagger above a bowed, bare-chested figure.
The Sacrifice of Isaac in marble, depicting the tense moment with a dagger held above the younger figure.
June 2019 © George M. Groutas · CC BY 2.0
The Sacrifice of Isaac sculpture showing an older bearded man restraining a kneeling younger man with a blade.
The Sacrifice of Isaac, showing the older man and kneeling youth in a tense sculptural grouping.
July 2007 © · CC BY 2.5
Detail of Donatello’s Sacrifice of Isaac showing two intertwined figures, with one holding a blade near the other’s head.
Close-up detail of Donatello’s Sacrifice of Isaac, showing the intertwined figures and the blade held above Isaac.
© · CC BY 3.0
Stone relief of Abraham and Isaac, showing an older bearded man standing over a crouching, seminude younger figure in a carved niche.
Donatello’s Abraham and Isaac, shown in a weathered stone relief with the two figures carved within an architectural niche.
1904 © · No restrictions
Marble sculpture of the Sacrifice of Isaac showing an older bearded man looking upward.
Close-up of the Sacrifice of Isaac sculpture, showing the older figure’s face and upper torso in marble.
June 2019 © George M. Groutas · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleThe Sacrifice of Isaac
Typesculpture
Identification statusAmong the statues on this side of the campanile, this is the only subject that is clearly identified.
Original titleIl Sacrificio di Isacco

Historical context

Date1421
SubjectThe biblical episode of the sacrifice of Isaac
Biblical sourceGenesis
Narrative summaryGod orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac in Moriah; as Abraham is about to comply, the Angel of the Lord stops him and a ram is sacrificed in Isaac's place.

Creator

ArtistsDonatello and Nanni di Bartolo
AttributionModern critics tend to attribute the work predominantly, if not exclusively, to Donatello.
CollaborationThe commission suggests collaboration between Donatello and Nanni di Bartolo, but this is not certain.
Commission date10 March 1421
Workshop contextDonatello accepted the commission for both himself and his assistant, following common workshop practice.

Discovery and provenance

Museum transferTransferred to the museum in 1937; copies were placed outdoors in its former location.
Current locationMuseo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence
Associated ensembleOne of the statues on the east side of the campanile, alongside the Beardless Prophet by Donatello, the Bearded Prophet by Nanni di Bartolo, and the Thoughtful Prophet by Donatello.
Intended locationThe third level of Giotto's Campanile for Santa Maria del Fiore, on the east side, within the bell tower's niche sculpture system.
Original locationA niche on the east side of Giotto's Campanile in Florence, third from the left, facing Brunelleschi's dome.

Physical characteristics

DimensionsLife-size; 188 x 56 cm
CompositionGroup of two figures
Spatial designThe two figures occupy the space of a single figure, fitting the standard shape of the niche it originally occupied.
Stylistic featureMovement is conveyed through the torsion and anatomy of the bodies rather than through drapery.
Stylistic featureDespite being a two-figure group, it occupies the space of one figure.
Spatial interactionAbraham's outer foot extends beyond the niche, projecting into external space toward the viewer.

Materials

MaterialWhite marble

Appearance

Isaac's poseIsaac draws back calmly, leaning to the right.
Depicted momentThe moment when Abraham has just received the angel's instruction to stop the sacrifice.
Isaac's appearanceIsaac is nude and quite muscular.
Abraham's actionAbraham holds a knife near Isaac's neck and grips Isaac by the hair with his other hand.
Abraham's poseAbraham has one leg resting on a bundle of wood.

Significance

Subject choiceThe choice of subject was not unprecedented; it had already been central to the 1401 competition for the north door of the Florence Baptistery.

History and restoration

Condition before restorationDarkened by atmospheric agents.
RestorationRestored and cleaned in 2009.