Jakob werkt zeven jaar bij Laban 1645 - 1740

Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the textures in this engraving. The way the lines create depth in the landscape, particularly the mountains behind the figures. It’s an older print and I feel that texture speaks volumes, carrying history with it. Editor: Indeed! The work is entitled “Jakob werkt zeven jaar bij Laban” or, in English, “Jacob Works Seven Years for Laban”. Dating sometime between 1645 and 1740, this print by Christoffel van Sichem II depicts the biblical story of Jacob’s arduous bargain with Laban. What initially strikes you about the composition beyond the landscape, visually? Curator: It's all contrast. The light clothing of the figures against the darkness of the setting; it’s visually poetic in its starkness. The meticulous detail of the flock of sheep grazing on that impossible hillside—it's as if a story is unfolding right before our eyes, and, of course, it is. But beyond the literal telling, I sense a deeper symbolism at play, something about the sacrifices we make for love and devotion? Editor: Precisely! The engraving's power lies in its compact storytelling. Consider the positioning of Jacob and Laban; it highlights both negotiation and obligation. This transaction unfolds before a landscape which visually seems almost perilous, this speaks to me of commitment, perseverance. And yes, perhaps, the slightly uneven balance in this power relationship? Van Sichem subtly uses space and line to imply all these layers. Curator: Absolutely. And I notice the house almost hidden in the rocks—suggesting safety and belonging; perhaps a haven that Jacob hopes to attain. There’s even this wonderful hand-drawn type filling in details above and below, making the print feel so intimate, like a glimpse into a well-loved, carefully kept journal of parables or maybe morality plays. What do you suppose the audience that consumed these would get out of a scene like this? Editor: This print allows for an entry point, in visual terms, into religious education through narrative artwork, common themes found during the Dutch Golden Age. This engraving captures the essence of a biblical tale within a meticulously designed frame—a window into devotion, duty, and the tests of time, and I feel that so richly displayed today. Curator: Well put. To spend time reflecting on these layered considerations is why art continues to challenge, inspire, and enchant.