“This wood engraving captures the dramatic biblical moment of Isaac unknowingly blessing Jacob instead of Esau. It's a masterclass in storytelling through composition and detail, highlighting a pivotal act of deception and its profound consequences.”
In this wood engraving, Edward Armitage depicts a pivotal biblical scene: Isaac, blind and elderly, bestowing a blessing meant for his elder son Esau upon the disguised Jacob. The moment is charged with deception and familial drama. Rebecca, Jacob's mother, orchestrated the ruse, dressing Jacob in Esau's clothes and covering his arms with goatskins so his father would mistake him for his hairy brother. The composition focuses tightly on the three figures, their forms rendered with strong, clear lines characteristic of wood engraving. Isaac's hand rests on Jacob's head, conveying the weight of the blessing, while Jacob kneels, his face hidden, accepting the stolen birthright. Rebecca watches from behind, her expression a mix of apprehension and quiet triumph. This print, part of "Dalziels' Bible Gallery," captures the emotional intensity of the narrative through its directness and dramatic chiaroscuro.
- Artist
- Edward Armitage
- Date
- 1880
- Medium
- Wood engraving on India paper, mounted on thin card
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- Image: 8 7/16 × 6 15/16 in. (21.4 × 17.7 cm) India sheet: 10 5/8 × 8 13/16 in. (27 × 22.4 cm) Mount: 16 7/16 in. × 12 15/16 in. (41.8 × 32.8 cm)
- Collection
- Drawings and Prints
- Credit line
- Anonymous Gift, 1926
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
Isaac's outstretched hand, feeling for Esau's hairy arm (actually Jacob's goatskin).
Rebecca's watchful gaze from behind Jacob, subtly guiding the deception.
The texture of the goatskins on Jacob's arm, a crucial detail in the biblical story.
The deep shadows and highlights, typical of wood engraving, enhancing the drama.
1 more detail is waiting.
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Edward Armitage
Edward Armitage was a Victorian-era English painter known for his monumental historical, classical, and biblical subjects, including works for the Palace of Westminster.
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