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Jacob Burying Idols Under an Oak Tree from The Story of Jacob series

1550–75
Not on view
The story of Jacob as depicted in this set of six tapestries (1983.73.1–.6) begins with the scene of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob (Gen. 25:29–34). Esau, the hunter, sits with his bow and quiver at his feet. He clasps hands with Jacob, his brother, who is clad in the starred robe that will identify him throughout the story. By this handshake Esau and Jacob seal their agreement, and the former accepts a bowl of food in exchange for his birthright as firstborn. The secondary scenes represent different moments in time and serve to advance the story. In the center distance Esau is shown hunting with two dogs. To the right, Rebecca, mother of Esau and Jacob, is seen cooking outside the tent, probably preparing food for Jacob to present o his father, Isaac (Gen. 27).

The narrative continues to unfold in the other tapestries, which depict Rachel giving her servant Bilhah to Jacob (Gen. 30:1–4), Rachel and Bilhah with her son Dan, and Jacob making a covenant with his father-in-law

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Jacob Burying Idols Under an Oak Tree from The Story of Jacob series
  • Date: 1550–75
  • Culture: Netherlandish, Brussels
  • Medium: Wool, silk (18 warps per inch, 6–7 per cm.)
  • Dimensions: H. 147 1/2 x W. 130 inches (374.7 x 330.2 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Amy Warren Patterson, 1981
  • Object Number: 1983.73.6
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Armet, Guillem Margot Flemish, Steel, copper alloy, South Netherlandish, Brussels
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ca. 1505
Tapestry Room from Croome Court, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Plaster, pine, mahogany, bronze-gilt, marble, lapis lazuli, steel; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British, Worcestershire with French, Paris (Gobelins) tapestry
Tapestry Room from Croome Court
Multiple artists/makers
1763–71
The Nativity Polyptych, Rogier van der Weyden Netherlandish, Oil on oak, Netherlandish
The Nativity Polyptych
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ca. 1450–60
Hunters in a Landscape, Anonymous, 16th century, Wool, silk (14 warps per inch; 5-6 per cm), British, probably London
Hunters in a Landscape
Designer Anonymous, 16th century
With elements after a design on a woodcut by Jost Amman
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ca. 1575–95
Reliquary Bust of Saint Balbina, Oak, with paint and gilding, and human remains, South Netherlandish
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ca. 1520–30

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