3-039-645 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Abraham and the Three Angels; Spinola Hours, about 1510-1520. Additional Info:The miniature of the Old Testament story of Abraham and the Three Angels forms a pair with the Holy Trinity miniature across the double-page spread. Christian commentators understood the story of Abraham's encounter with the three angels as an Old Testament prefiguration of the Christian Trinity. At the bottom of the miniature, Abraham, kneeling in prayer, greets his heavenly visitors. Latin words written in gold come from his mouth. Above, Abraham serves his guests while Sarah eavesdrops behind a curtain on the right. Her weathered face betrays her age, emphasizing the miraculous nature of her conception of Isaac, which the three angels had come to prophesy. On the upper left, Abraham leads the angels on their way.