Abraham and the Angels

This 1694 Abraham and the Angels at the Hermitage is a significant early work demonstrating Ricci's developing command of large-scale biblical narrative. The subject — the divine hospitality that Abraham extended to the three mysterious visitors who were actually celestial messengers — required the artist to balance the everyday domestic reality of the meal with the supernatural identity of the guests. Ricci's Venetian warmth of palette and the graceful fluidity of his figures give this early work qualities that would define his mature style across four decades of productive career. The Hermitage's comprehensive Italian collection makes Saint Petersburg essential for studying Ricci's development.

The biblical narrative is staged with Ricci's emerging decorative flair, the warm tones and fluid handling of paint already showing the luminous quality that would characterize his mature work.