Jacob and Rachel at the Well 1690

Luca Giordano painted ‘Jacob and Rachel at the Well’ using oil on canvas, around the late 17th century. Giordano’s work beautifully captures the narrative of the biblical scene, highlighting the humanity of the individuals through his rendering of their garments. The bright red fabrics worn by Jacob stand out, and the artist uses the drape of Rachel’s blue dress to give her a noble appearance, indicating a subtle status dynamic. The labor of shepherds like Jacob and his relatives is also depicted in detail with great attention to the depiction of the sheep and other animals. The materiality of paint allows the story to come alive, and Giordano’s artful handling of the brushwork to produce a scene that is both dynamic and sensitive, raising questions of class in biblical times. In viewing this piece, the social context in which Giordano created work becomes evident, reinforcing the idea that fine art is deeply embedded in cultural, and creative practices.