Curatorial Notes
This story comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis and stresses the value of reconciliation. Jacob lived with his uncle Laban for years, marrying Laban’s daughters Rachel and Leah. When the relationship between the men soured, Jacob and his family departed, while Rachel secretly stole her father’s household gods. When Laban discovered that the statues were missing, he pursued Jacob, accusing him of theft. Here, Jacob invites Laban to search his tent, while Rachel sits on the saddlebag containing the statues. After coming up empty-handed, Laban proposes a truce, ending the squabble.
Artwork Identification
Title Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods
Title (PT) Labão em busca de seus deuses domésticos roubados
Title (ES) Labán en busca de sus dioses domésticos robados
Artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Artist Bio Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)
Date c. 1665–70
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Cleveland Museum of Art
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
