Rembrandt Paintings
1606 - 1669 Painter, Etcher, Printmaker, Netherlands, Baroque
Jacob Blessing the Sons of Josef, 1656
Oil on canvas, 210x175 cm
Cassel Figure Compositions
Rembrandt is at his best in this biblical scene. A timeless, archetypal moment of the passing of one generation on to another. While Joseph and his Egyptian Wife, Asenath serenely look on, the aged, nearly blind Jacob on his deathbed breaks with tradition in blessing the youngest grandson first. In the Biblical account (Genesis: 48:8-20), the displeased Joseph interferes, trying to move his father's hand from Ephraim to the dark-haired Manasseh--"This is the first-born; put your hand upon his head." "I know it, my son, I know it," replies the dignified patriarch, continuing to bless the younger angelic-looking, chosen child, Ephraim, as if moved by prophetic intuition, "set[ting] Ephraim before Manasseh."
Rembrandt's insight into people's thoughts and feelings, and his ability to capture (and alter) the human drama of a religious theme earned Rembrandt the appellation, the Shakespeare of painting. Rembrandt is a master of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), the figures shine out against the darkness, the warm reds and muted yellow colors further add to the peaceful, respective, spiritual harmony of the scene.
