Jakob vlucht voor Laban 1720 - 1728

This engraving, made by Cornelis Huyberts around 1700, illustrates Jacob's flight from Laban, as recounted in the Book of Genesis. But what can it tell us about the social and cultural context in which it was made? We know that Huyberts was working in the Dutch Republic during its Golden Age, a period of immense economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. The Dutch Reformed Church was the dominant religion, so biblical themes were popular subjects for art. Huyberts would have been working in a competitive art market dominated by the Guild system. The image itself is full of visual codes and cultural references. Jacob's family are shown laden with possessions, suggesting the accumulation of wealth. The landscape is reminiscent of the Dutch countryside, making the biblical story relatable to a contemporary audience. The artist creates meaning by associating the biblical story with familiar cultural and social references, offering a subtle commentary on the values of Dutch society. By studying Huyberts's life, the history of the Dutch Republic, and the cultural context in which he worked, we can better understand the social meaning of this engraving.