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Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods
The Cleveland Museum of Art

Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods

oil on canvasBartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)/c. 1665–70

Description

This story comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis and stresses the value of reconciliation. Jacob lived with his uncle Laban for years, marrying Laban’s daughters Rachel and Leah. When the relationship between the men soured, Jacob and his family departed, while Rachel secretly stole her father’s household gods. When Laban discovered that the statues were missing, he pursued Jacob, accusing him of theft. Here, Jacob invites Laban to search his tent, while Rachel sits on the saddlebag containing the statues. After coming up empty-handed, Laban proposes a truce, ending the squabble.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio; (Wildenstein & Co., New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art); Carlos Guinle [1889-1956], Rio de Janeiro; Jacques Barou de la Lombardière de Canson [d. 1958], Paris; Hibbard1; (Christie, Manson, and Woods, London, sale, July 4, 1924, no. 21, sold to Hibbard); Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor, second Duke of Westminster [1879 –1953]; Hugh Grosvenor, Marquis of Westminster [1825-1899], Grosvenor House, London, to his grandson, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor; Possibly Robert Grosvenor, Marquis of Westminster [1767-1845]1; Marquis of Santiago, Santiago Palace, Madrid, sold to William Buchanan and W.G. Coesvelt through G. Augustus Wallis; (William Buchanan and W.G. Coesvelt, London, acquired in Spain through Buchanan’s agent, G. Augustus Wallis), sold to the Marquis of Westminster)1; Marquis of Villamanrique, MadMarquis of Santiago, Santiago Palace, Madrid, sold to William Buchanan and W.G. Coesvelt through G. Augustus Wallisrid1; Marquis of Villamanrique, Seville

Dimensions

243 × 362 cm

Accession No

1965.469

Official Citations

[The Cleveland Museum of Art Official Record][Full Resolution Image]
Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617–1682)

European Painting and Sculpture • Spain • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries