Isaac Blessing Jacob (Murillo) facts for kids
Isaac Blessing Jacob is a famous painting created by the Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo between 1665 and 1670. It is an oil painting on canvas. This artwork shows a story from the Bible where Isaac, who is old and blind, gives his blessing to his son Jacob.
This painting is part of a pair. The other painting is called Jacob's Dream. Both artworks are kept at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. They were bought for the museum in 1811. The Hermitage Museum has many other paintings by Murillo and his art studio.
Contents
What the Painting Shows
The painting Isaac Blessing Jacob tells a story from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Isaac was the son of Abraham. He had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the older son and a skilled hunter. Jacob was the younger son, who preferred to stay at home.
The Story of the Blessing
In the biblical story, Isaac was old and could not see well. He wanted to give his special blessing to his oldest son, Esau, before he died. This blessing was very important. It meant that Esau would receive a greater share of the family's wealth and leadership.
However, Jacob's mother, Rebekah, wanted Jacob to receive the blessing instead. She helped Jacob trick Isaac. She dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes. She also covered Jacob's hands and neck with goatskins. This made him feel hairy, like Esau.
The Deception
When Jacob came to Isaac, his father was suspicious. Isaac said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." Even though Isaac was unsure, he felt Jacob's hairy hands. He believed it was Esau and gave Jacob the blessing.
Soon after, Esau returned from hunting. He found out that Jacob had taken his blessing. This made Esau very angry. Jacob had to leave home to escape Esau's anger.
About the Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was a very important Spanish painter. He lived from 1617 to 1682. Murillo is known for his religious paintings. He also painted many pictures of ordinary people, especially children.
Murillo's Style
Murillo's paintings often have soft colors and gentle light. He was very good at showing emotions. His artworks are known for their warmth and beauty. He painted many scenes from the Bible, like Isaac Blessing Jacob. His paintings are found in museums all over the world.
Where to See the Painting
The painting Isaac Blessing Jacob is on display at the Hermitage Museum. This museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. It is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Hermitage Museum has millions of artworks and cultural items.
Murillo's Works at the Hermitage
The Hermitage Museum has a large collection of Murillo's paintings. Isaac Blessing Jacob and Jacob's Dream are two important examples. These paintings show Murillo's skill in telling stories through art. They also show his ability to capture human feelings.
