Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Laban Greets Jacob

drawing with pen and brush (17 × 21 cm) — c. 1655 Museum Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to Genesis 29:13

Tags: Jacob

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Laban was a rich cattle farmer in Haran, and uncle to Jacob. After Jacob had deceived his brother Esau, he went and lived with Laban. Here Laban greets him. Jacob is the man to the right, with a traveller's attributes: a stick and a shoulder bag.

In the background at the well is Rachel, Laban's youngest daughter. It was for her hand that Jacob would work for Laban for fourteen years.

The drawing is also being attributed to Ferdinand Bol.

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