Jakob met Rachel en Lea in landschap 1774

Jordanus Hoorn created this drawing, Jakob met Rachel en Lea in landschap, using pen in brown and gray ink, brush in gray ink, and graphite. Hoorn lived through a tumultuous period marked by Enlightenment ideals, social upheaval, and the rise of nationalism. During this time, the Dutch Republic faced economic decline and political instability, ultimately succumbing to French influence. In his drawings, Hoorn often depicted biblical scenes, reflecting the cultural norms of the time, but also exploring themes of identity and belonging, and raising questions about social order and human relationships. Here we have Jacob meeting Rachel and Leah, a popular theme in art history, yet Hoorn renders them as a domestic scene, a gentle landscape with the figures small amongst their flocks. The choice to depict this scene is perhaps a reflection of his interest in exploring the personal and emotional dimensions of the narratives, inviting viewers to consider the complexities of familial relationships and the search for identity within a changing world.