Artwork
Landscape with the Voyage of Jacob
Landscape with the Voyage of Jacob is an oil painting by Claude Lorrain. It is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1689, *Landscape with the Voyage of Jacob* is an oil painting by Claude Lorrain, a French-born artist who spent the bulk of his career in Italy. Executed in the Baroque period, the work belongs to Lorrain’s mature landscape series and is presently part of the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a tranquil river scene populated by cattle and a shepherd‑like figure in a red robe, accompanied by a dog. Though the exact narrative is not explicit, the title links the image to the biblical journey of Jacob, suggesting a pastoral interpretation of a scriptural episode within an idealized natural setting.
Technique & Style
Lorrain employs a warm palette and soft, fluid brushwork to render the sky, water, and foliage, achieving a gentle atmospheric effect. Light filters through the clouds, creating subtle chiaroscuro that models the landscape’s depth. The careful arrangement of trees, a distant castle, and a towering tree structures the view into a harmonious, balanced vista.
History & Provenance
Born Claude Gellée in the Duchy of Lorraine, the artist adopted the name Claude Lorrain after relocating to Italy, where he established his reputation for idealized landscapes. The painting entered the Clark Art Institute’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European Baroque collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Claude Lorrain (French: ; born Claude Gellée , called le Lorrain in French; traditionally just Claude in English; c.
