Isaac Blessing Jacob

Image credit: The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

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The old and blind Isaac summons his eldest son Esau to prepare his meal and receive a blessing. His wife Rebecca substitutes her favourite son Jacob who wears goat-skin gloves in order to resemble his hairy brother. He steps forward gingerly whilst Rebecca gestures to us not to reveal the deception. The dog sniffing the meat indicates that the biblical story also works as an allegory of the five senses – smell, taste, touch, hearing and sight. Stom was born in the Netherlands, but lived mainly in Naples and Sicily. His style was based on that of Caravaggio with its dramatic lighting, emotional directness and realistic figures.
Title

Isaac Blessing Jacob

Date

c.1635

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 136.5 x W 182 cm

Accession number

94.2

Acquisition method

purchased with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund and the Museums and Galleries Commission/Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund, 1994

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TS England

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