Isaak, or Isaac, is an important figure in Abrahamic religions. Destined to be sacrificed by his father, Abraham, at the behest of God, he was saved when an angel bid Abraham to stop. Even though he was not sacrificed, Issac is a symbol of martyrdom, as he was willing to die at God’s request, full of faith in God’s plan.
Whether Isaac is represented as the old man in the corner or the young man made of stone, it is clear that this painting is telling a story of growth. Both the young and the old men have expressions of peace and tranquility on their faces, an acceptance of their fates. The positioning of the hands within the painting is indicative of the hand of God, with one having a branch growing through it, emulating the stigmata of Christ, another martyr of the Abrahamic faiths. This is another one of Bak’s small masterpieces, in which every inch holds something new to uncover, a little secret held between you, the viewer, and Bak, the artist.
Camila Martorell (Guest Writer)
BAK a Day, January 15, 2024
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Ahhh yes! The Akedah or the binding of Isaac. Remember in the book of Genesis the story goes something like this: Abraham was directed by G-d to take his only (and very precious) son to be sacrificed in the hills of Moriah. The text describes this as a test, presumably of Abraham’s faithful obedience to G-d. Obediently, Abraham took the innocent Isaac as directed, reached the appropriate location, “…built the altar there, and arranged the wood; he bound Isaac, his son, and he placed him on the altar atop the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slaughter his son. ” (Genesis 22:9-10). Fortunately, G-d called out to Abraham in time to prevent the lethal act and provided a substitute sheep for the sacrifice. Abraham was rewarded for his demonstration of complete fidelity with a legion of important offspring who became founders for the people of Israel. What about poor Isaac and his near-death experience??!! PTSD??? What kind of stories could Isaac tell?
The two figures in this painting most certainly represent Abraham and Isaac. However, this Isaac did not survive as he has turned to stone. He is “bound” within a family tree but both he and the tree are severed. His disarticulated right hand is pierced as a classical sacrificial stigma with an index finger which points to the sky. His damaged left hand holds a paper which might contain the “story” of his demise or perhaps ironically the “original story” in which he survived. His solemn, skeptical sidewise glance is focused on the other figure, Abraham. Although his hat is lithifying, the bearded older Abraham is alive with his right hand pointing at himself or perhaps at a blue (like the sky) disarticulated hand which is interposed between his gesturing index finger and his face. The separate artificial (?) blue hand points ambiguously in the direction of both Isaac and the sky.
This painting of finger-pointing has three interesting characters: Abraham (father, older generation, dominant political power?), Isaac (son, younger generation, those subject to actions of a dominant power?) and G-d (perpetrator, arbitrator, artificial construct?). Isaac has died or rather been killed but by whom? For what reason? What role did Abraham and G-d play or fail to play in this event? Do the fingers point to the guilty, the suspected, or perhaps the hope? Look carefully and create your own narrative as “Another Isaac Story”.
Dr. Carl M. Herbert (Guest Writer)
BAK a Day, February 25, 2023
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Isaak or Isaac has many names and many stories.
All include his father's willingness to offer him up as a sacrifice to the God who commanded him to do so.
An act of blind faith or of a troubled soul.
What questions are running through Abraham's mind in this iteration of the offering/sacrifice?
Isaak as tree. Isaak as already cut to pieces and yet holding out the blank parchment waiting for the story to be recorded.
Is Isaak asking "where is the Sheep for the offering?" Or it is too late?
The rich leafy growth evolves the Isaak figure.
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