The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau

The twins Jacob and Esau were at odds after Jacob had deceived his elder brother: he acquired Esau's birth right for a cup of soup and tricked their father to bless him in stead of Esau. Jacob had to flee as Esau planned to kill him. After a while they reconciled, and lived peacefully next to each other.

The artist here shows how the brothers meet and embrace.

God had announced that the elder brother would serve the younger in Genesis 25:23.

The drawing used to be attributed to Rembrandt. Nowadays it is assumed that it was made by the Flemish artist Carel van Savoyen.