Jakobs kamp med englen 1913

Rasmus Harboe created this bronze sculpture, Jakobs kamp med englen, which translates to Jacob's struggle with the angel. Harboe lived through a period of significant social change, including the rise of industrialization and shifting religious beliefs. The sculpture invites us to contemplate the internal struggles and transformative encounters that shape identity. The biblical story shows Jacob wrestling with an angel, a powerful metaphor for inner conflict and the search for meaning. The angel might not only stand as a divine messenger but also embodies Jacob's doubts, fears, and aspirations. As we reflect on the story, what does it mean to wrestle with the divine, to confront aspects of ourselves we struggle to accept? Perhaps Harboe encourages us to recognize the value of struggle. It is through these battles, both internal and external, that we define ourselves, and find meaning in the world.