Image Details

Giraudon/Art Resource, Rouen, Musée Des Beaux Arts

“Jacob greets Laban” by French artist Jean Restout (1692–1768). Fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau whom he has tricked out of his rightful blessing, Jacob takes refuge with Laban, his uncle. Soon after their meeting, the two strike a fateful bargain: in exchange for seven years of labor tending Laban’s flocks, Jacob is to be wedded to Laban’s younger daughter Rachel, right. Instead, Laban will deceive Jacob by substituting his firstborn daughter Leah, left, and demanding seven more years of Jacob’s labor in payment for Rachel.