Abraham and Isaac
from the
Chester Mystery Plays

images by J. Martin Pitts
1999
40pp
250 x 320mm (10 x 12.8in)

£65

220 copies
signed by the artist



Mediaeval Miracle Plays wove into dramatic form many of the strongest and most elemental stories in the Bible. Here, the mounting anguish of Abraham, commanded by God to sacrifice his only son, is answered by Isaac's innocent, hardly questioning obedience.
Benjamin Britten was moved to write music for two voices that weave with unbearable poignancy towards an apparently inevitable horror, until God's reprieving voice intervenes. It was while listening to a recording of this Church Canticle that the shape and structure of this book leapt to mind ­ facing pages with Martin Pitts' powerful linocuts would demonstrate the confrontation between father and son ­ between God and man . . .

Albertus type. The paper is Hahnemühle Ingres, french-folded and printed on one side only.
Linocut images throughout.
The case binding is covered overall with Bugra Butten paper, printed with type and images by J. Martin Pitts. The spine is blocked in gold.