The dismissal of Hagar
Fabritiusâ output has always been overwhelmed by the art of his brother, Carel (1622-54). Most of Barentâs pictures betray a variety of influences, notably Rembrandtâs (1606-1669). In Barentâs early years he was close to his brother in style and this has caused dispute over who painted some of the pictures. This painting shows the sad expulsion by Abraham of his concubine, Hagar, and their son, Ismael, follwing the birth of a child to Abrahamâs wife Sarah (Genesis 21:9-21). The main characters are in the foreground, sharply lit and cut at the waist - devices that Rembrandt used frequently. Fabritius employs more colourful tones, a trend common in the latter half of the century throughout Holland. The intrinsically Dutch realism, most evident in the depiction of the bread, is typical.