Isaac blesses Jacob (Utrecht)

The old and blind Isaac sits in bed and blesses his son Jacob. Standing behind the bed is Isaac's wife Rebecca.

By tradition Isaac wanted to bless Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother. But Rebecca favoured Jacob and wanted him to be blessed. She advised him to put on gloves made of goat skin, in order to make them feel as hairy as Esau's. (The name Esau means something like 'the hairy'.) The trick worked.

Govert Flinck probably made this painting shortly before he started studying with Rembrandt. A few years later he would make a new depiction of the subject, that clearly shows Rembrandt's influence.