Dirk Volkertsz. Coornhert, after Maerten van Heemskerck
(Netherlandish, 1522–1590)
Isaac Blessing Jacob Disguised as Esau
Object Details
Artist
Dirk Volkertsz. Coornhert, after Maerten van Heemskerck
Date
1549
Medium
Etching on laid paper
Dimensions
Image (trimmed to plate): 9 1/2 × 7 1/2 inches (24.1 × 19.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Todd Weyman
Object
Number
2000.165.004
Jacob, also called “Israel” after he wrestled with an angel or divine being, is considered the f(…)
Jacob, also called “Israel” after he wrestled with an angel or divine being, is considered the father of the Jewish nation. Ten of Jacob’s thirteen children were founders of the original Hebrew tribes. In the story depicted in this print, Jacob pretended, at the insistence of their mother Rebecca, to be his twin brother Esau and tricked their blind father into blessing him instead of Esau. Rebecca and Jacob believed the blessing to be Jacob’s right because he studied the teachings of God, while Esau had not. —Rayna Klugherz ’23
