Andrea Sacchi’s restrained and sombre style shows the influence of Carracci’s opposition to the more flamboyant, extrovert aspects of the High Baroque and his working methods have been described as slow and thoughtful. In this work he captures the moment when the angel is disclosing the drinking water to the dying Ishmael. The first son of Abraham was banished with his mother Hagar to perish in the desert of Beersheba.