Artwork
Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods
Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a pivotal moment from the Old Testament (Genesis) where Laban confronts Jacob over stolen household gods, leading to an offer of search and eventual reconciliation.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates the tense family conflict between Laban, Jacob, and Rachel, highlighting themes of accusation, deception (Rachel hiding the gods), and the pursuit of peace through Jacob's invitation to search his belongings.
Technique & Style
Murillo employs rich, vibrant colors to convey the emotional intensity of the argument, rendering the biblical narrative as a relatable, dynamic family dispute rather than a static religious scene.
History & Provenance
While specific provenance details are not provided here, the work is attributed to Murillo, with a version available for public viewing at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
Set against the biblical backdrop of Genesis, the painting interprets a narrative of family strife and reconciliation, making the ancient story accessible through Murillo's expressive artistic lens.
Legacy
By humanizing a biblical conflict, Murillo's work contributes to a broader tradition of interpreting religious narratives through the lens of everyday human emotion and relational complexity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish: ; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
