Jacob’s Dream 1660 - 1680

Ary de Vois painted “Jacob’s Dream” in the Dutch Republic using oil paints. Here, Jacob is a life-sized nude lying on a red cloth, with a dog at his feet. The material quality of oil paint allows de Vois to achieve a level of detail and realism that was highly prized in the Dutch Golden Age. See how the paint is thinly applied, and built up in layers, to create a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface on Jacob's skin. Oil paints also facilitate the dramatic light contrasts so popular at the time. Look how the light catches Jacob's body and the folds of the cloth, while the surrounding landscape is cast in shadow. Making paintings like this was a highly skilled trade in the Dutch Republic, involving years of apprenticeship to master the techniques of grinding pigments, mixing paints, and applying them to canvas. The artist’s labor is obscured by the almost photographic finish. But remember that the painting is in fact, an accumulation of many hours of skilled work. Appreciating the painting means understanding not just the religious subject, but also the intense craft involved.