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Hugo van der Goes: Rachel and Jacob

Hugo van der Goes ca. 1440 – 1482

Rachel and Jacob

pen and wax on grey paper — ca.1470-75
Christ Church College, Oxford

Hugo van der Goes biography

This work is linked to Genesis 29:11

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Jacob is travelling to his uncle Laban. On his journey he meets a group of shepherds. One of them turns out to be Rachel, Laban's attractive youngest daughter. Jacob greets her with a kiss.

Jacob falls in love with Rachel. Laban will let him marry his daughter if Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years. After seven years Laban indeed sends a daughter to Jacob - but it is Leah, Rachel's elder sister.

Laban claims that according to tradition he has to give away his firstborn daughter before the younger Rachel. Jacob then had to spend another seven years in Laban's service before he gets to marry Rachel.