Isaac Blessing Jacob Disguised as Esau

Artist Dirk Volkertsz. Coornhert (Netherlandish, 1522–1590)

Artist after Maerten van Heemskerck (Netherlandish, 1498–1574)

Date1549

MediumEtching on laid paper

DimensionsImage (trimmed to plate): 9 1/2 × 7 1/2 inches (24.1 × 19.1 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift of Todd Weyman

Terms

Prints
Etching
Laid paper
Netherlandish

Object number2000.165.004

Label CopyJacob, 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