Artwork
Laban Searching for His Stolen Gods
Laban Searching for His Stolen Gods is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Augustin de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Augustin de Saint-Aubin's oil painting, Laban Searching for His Stolen Gods, was completed in 1753. This religious work is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art. It depicts a dramatic biblical scene set in a rugged landscape, characterized by a group of figures illuminated by soft light and shadow, creating a sense of tension and narrative depth within the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a biblical episode, likely from the Book of Genesis, where Laban searches for his household gods, which have been stolen by Rachel.
The painting illustrates a biblical episode, likely from the Book of Genesis, where Laban searches for his household gods, which have been stolen by Rachel. The composition centers on a woman in a white headscarf cradling a child, with another figure nearby, suggesting Rachel's concealment of the idols. The dimly lit, rocky environment and distant city with spires contribute to the dramatic tension of the narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the artwork employs a technique that emphasizes dramatic contrasts of soft light and shadow to model the figures and enhance the scene's emotional intensity. The artist utilized thick, visible brushstrokes, particularly evident in the depiction of the rugged rocks and the folds of the clothing. This method, known as impasto, adds texture and a sense of immediacy to the painted surface.
History & Provenance
Created by Augustin de Saint-Aubin in 1753, Laban Searching for His Stolen Gods represents a specific moment in the artist's career during the mid-eighteenth century. The painting is presently housed within the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, where it contributes to the institution's holdings of European art from this period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Augustin de Saint-Aubin sometimes styled Auguste de Saint-Aubin (3 January 1736 – 9 November 1807), belongs to an important dynasty of French designers and engravers.
