Artwork
Jacob wrestling with the angel
Jacob wrestling with the angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Bartholomeus Breenbergh. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Jacob wrestling with the angel is a 1639 oil painting by Dutch Golden Age artist Bartholomeus Breenbergh, combining his Italianate landscape influences with a religious subject.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a pivotal biblical scene (Genesis 32:22-33) where Jacob wrestles with an angel, symbolizing spiritual struggle and divine encounter. The obscured faces of the figures emphasize the universal and introspective aspects of the conflict.
Technique & Style
Breenbergh employed chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with soft, hazy light, to create depth and tension in the struggle. The composition blends a dramatic, emotionally charged foreground with a serene, distant landscape.
History & Provenance
Created during Breenbergh's post-Rome, Amsterdam period, the painting reflects his mature style. It is currently part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartholomeus Breenbergh (before 13 November 1598 – after 3 October 1657) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of Italian and Italianate landscapes, in Rome (1619-1630) and Amsterdam (1630-1657).
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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel