Paintings
Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods
Painting
Details
- Author / creator
- Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)
- Object type
- Painting
- Date or period
- c. 1665–70
- Dimensions summary
- Framed: 278 × 398 × 14 cm; Unframed: 243 × 362 cm
- Support
- Canvas
- Paint medium
- Oil
- Place of origin
- Spain
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, 1965
About this object
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.
Materials and technique
Oil on canvas
