Isaac Meeting Rebekah–Esau Selling His Birthright, from "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" 1865 - 1881

"Isaac Meeting Rebekah–Esau Selling His Birthright" is a wood engraving by Thomas Dalziel, part of a series of illustrations for "Dalziels' Bible Gallery" produced between 1865 and 1881. The image portrays two scenes from the biblical book of Genesis, depicting both the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah, and the moment Esau trades his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. The detailed engraving with its striking use of light and shadow brings the biblical story to life with its rich detail. The work, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, is a fine example of the wood engravings that were popular throughout the 19th century.