Jacob worstelend met de engel 1649

Harmen ter Borch made this pen and brown ink drawing of Jacob Wrestling with the Angel in February 1649. It depicts a scene from the Book of Genesis, in which Jacob struggles with a mysterious figure, often interpreted as an angel of God. In the 17th-century Dutch Republic, biblical themes were frequently explored in art, reflecting the nation's Protestant religious identity. This drawing, now held at the Rijksmuseum, offers insight into the cultural and religious context of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of both artistic flourishing and intense religious and political debate. The institutional history of museums like the Rijksmuseum shapes how we interpret art today. By examining Ter Borch's artistic choices and considering the religious and social norms of his time, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in the Dutch Republic. Scholarly articles, archival records, and theological texts can further illuminate the cultural significance of this artwork.