Artwork
Jacob y Raquel en el pozo
Jacob y Raquel en el pozo is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Luca Giordano. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Luca Giordano’s 1653 oil painting, titled *Jacob y Raquel en el pozo*, is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection. The work illustrates a biblical episode in which Jacob meets Rachel at a well, rendered in a bustling outdoor setting that combines narrative detail with a lively landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the encounter between Jacob and Rachel, a moment drawn from the Book of Genesis. Rachel, distinguished by her pink garment, extends her hand to Jacob, who is dressed in red, symbolizing the beginning of their union. The surrounding figures and domestic objects suggest a communal atmosphere, emphasizing themes of hospitality and divine providence.
Technique & Style
Giordano employs a vibrant palette of reds, pinks, and earthy browns, creating a dynamic yet harmonious visual rhythm. The brushwork balances fine detail—such as the goats, donkey, and a barrel—with broader, more fluid passages that convey movement. Light falls across the scene in a manner reminiscent of chiaroscuro, modeling forms through contrasts of illumination and shadow.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1653, the painting entered the Spanish royal collection before being transferred to the Prado Museum, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Giordano, a prolific Baroque painter known for swift execution, has been consistently affirmed by scholarly catalogues.
Context
The work reflects the 17th‑century Italian Baroque fascination with biblical narratives rendered in everyday settings. Giordano’s choice to place the biblical figures amid a bustling, almost genre‑like scene aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make sacred stories accessible to contemporary viewers.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Luca Giordano was an Italian late-Baroque painter and printmaker in etching. Giordano was one of the most celebrated artists of the Neapolitan Baroque, whose vast output included altarpieces, mythological paintings and…
