Jacob and the Flocks of Laban–Jacob's Departure from Laban, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery"

This dramatic wood engraving captures a pivotal moment from the Book of Genesis: Jacob's clandestine departure from his father-in-law Laban. The scene pulses with a sense of urgency and escape. We see Jacob, his wives, children, and all their possessions, including vast flocks of sheep and goats, making their hurried exodus across a rugged landscape. The composition emphasizes the sheer scale of their journey, with animals and figures stretching into the distance, suggesting the vastness of the desert they traverse. The dense cross-hatching and varied line work, characteristic of wood engraving, create rich textures in the animals' wool and the rocky terrain, enhancing the feeling of a tangible, arduous journey. It’s a powerful illustration, meant to evoke the biblical narrative with vivid detail and emotional weight.