A cycle of four large-format paintings depicting the story of Abraham; 1. The sacrifice of Abraham, oil on canvas, 225 x 174 cm, framed, 2. The Pharaoh restores his wife to Abraham, oil on canvas, 226 x 168 cm, framed, 3. A banquet, oil on canvas, 224 x 167 cm, framed, 4. Melchizedek offering bread and wine to Abraham on his return from a battle, oil on canvas, 225 x 323 cm, framed

Provenance:
formerly residence of the artist, De Rozenhoed, Keizerstraat 36, in Antwerp;
Belgian private collection;
Dorotheum auction, Vienna, 06.10.2009, lot 214;
European private collection.

Literature:
F. Smolders, Balthasar Beschey, Antwerps Kunstschilder, 1708–1776,
Kunsthistorisch Instituut Antwerp, 1973/74, pp. 16 and 85.

A fifth picture belonging to this series, which depicts the Explusion of Hagar, went to another owner by inheritance when the estate was divided. Balthasar Beschey was the most important painter in Antwerp during the 18th century. He produced richly figural landscapes in the manner of Jan Brueghel the Elder, portraits and history painting. Beschey was a professor at the Antwerp Academy, later director, as well as being dean of the St. Lucas Guild. He decorated his own residence with large-format history paintings depicting the story of Abraham. They are typical of his art and testament to his talent for narrative and composition.