Bassano, Francesco (il Giovane) – Abraham vertrekt uit Haran, 1560 - 1592 Rijksmuseum: part 1

The composition presents a departure scene unfolding within a densely wooded landscape. A group of figures, seemingly a family unit, is preparing to leave their settlement. At the forefront, a man on horseback dominates the central space; he gestures towards the receding cityscape visible in the middle ground. His posture and extended arm convey a sense of farewell or perhaps direction, suggesting an imperative for movement. Beside him sits a woman, cradling a child close to her chest – a poignant detail emphasizing familial bonds and the vulnerability inherent in displacement.
Further back, other members of the group are engaged in various tasks: some tend to livestock – sheep and goats are scattered across the foreground – while others gather possessions represented by metal vessels and containers. The arrangement suggests a hurried but organized exodus; there is an urgency to their actions yet also a deliberate effort to secure essential provisions for the journey ahead.
The landscape itself contributes significantly to the narrative’s emotional weight. A dark, brooding forest frames the scene, its dense foliage obscuring much of the background and creating a sense of enclosure and uncertainty about what lies beyond. Above this immediate setting, a luminous figure appears suspended in the sky, seemingly observing the departure. The ethereal quality of this figure, bathed in light against a stormy backdrop, hints at divine guidance or blessing accompanying their journey – a subtle indication of a higher purpose underpinning their displacement.
The artist’s use of color reinforces these themes. Earth tones dominate the foreground, grounding the scene in reality and emphasizing the tangible aspects of departure – possessions, animals, and the physical labor involved. The brighter hues used for the figures clothing contrast with the somber background, drawing attention to their human drama against a backdrop of natural forces.
Subtly embedded within this depiction is an exploration of themes such as faith, obedience, and the challenges inherent in leaving behind established life for an unknown future. The painting evokes a sense of melancholy mixed with hope – a visual representation of transition and the potential for renewal that accompanies significant change.