Angel Appearing to Elijah

This 1642 Angel Appearing to Elijah in the Leiden Collection depicts the Old Testament prophet being sustained by divine provision during his flight from Jezebel. The angelic visitation subject allowed Bol to practice the supernatural lighting effects he had learned in Rembrandt's studio. Ferdinand Bol was one of Rembrandt's most talented pupils, and his portraits and history paintings from his years in the master's studio are sometimes difficult to distinguish from Rembrandt's own work—a testament to his exceptional skill in absorbing the master's technique.

The angel's appearance creates a supernatural light source that illuminates the sleeping prophet, Bol rendering the divine radiance with the dramatic chiaroscuro characteristic of the Rembrandt school.