Artwork
Jacob wrestling with the angel
Jacob wrestling with the angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
This 1659 oil painting by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn depicts a biblical scene. It is held in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Jacob wrestling with an angel, a scene from the Bible. The figures are rendered with expressive faces: Jacob's is contorted in struggle, while the angel's is serene.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic effect, with the figures emerging from a dark background into a soft, golden light. This technique, characteristic of his mature style, adds depth and emphasizes the central figures.
History & Provenance
The painting is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of significant cultural and artistic development in the Netherlands.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
