Artwork
Meeting of Esau and Jacob
Meeting of Esau and Jacob is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Simon de Vos. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Simon de Vos, a 17th‑century Flemish artist, executed the oil painting *Meeting of Esau and Jacob* in 1641 on a copper support. The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection and illustrates a biblical encounter rendered in the dramatic visual language of the Flemish Baroque.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the reunion of the brothers Esau and Jacob, with the latter embracing his elder sibling. The figure in armor and a red cloak represents Jacob, while the plainly dressed man is Esau. Their embrace is framed by a crowd of soldiers, onlookers, and wandering sheep, underscoring the tension and reconciliation inherent in the biblical narrative.
Technique & Style
De Vos employs the rich coloration and vigorous brushwork typical of the Flemish Baroque, echoing the influence of Rubens and van Dyck. The copper ground enhances the luminous surface, allowing fine details—such as the gleaming armor, textured fabrics, and the storm‑filled sky—to stand out against the bustling crowd.
History & Provenance
Created during de Vos’s shift from intimate genre scenes to larger historical subjects, the painting entered the Russian imperial collection and is now housed in the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Its provenance traces the movement of Flemish Baroque works into northern European collections in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Context
The work reflects the 17th‑century Flemish interest in biblical and moral subjects, using contemporary military attire and settings to make the ancient story relatable to a baroque audience. The inclusion of ships on a turbulent sea and a dramatic sky adds a sense of divine intervention common in the period’s religious art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Simon de Vos (20 October 1603 – 15 October 1676) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and art collector.
