Esau selling his birthright, from a series of scenes of the Genesis with scrolling motifs and grotesque figures on black grounds
Etienne Delaune French
Not on view
Engraving, part of a repetition of a series of six scenes of the Genesis, surrounded by scrolling motifs and grotesque figures on black grounds, created by Étienne Delaune before 1573. This print represents Esau, carrying his bow on his back, and in the company of a dog, sitting on the left part of a U-shaped scrolling motif, sitting in front of his brother, accompanied by a sheep. At their feet is a fuming pot. They both hold a bowl of lentils, above the pot, with their left hand, and shake the right hand, sealing their deal. Under them, Esau runs towards the left, blowing his horn and carrying a spear, chasing a deer with his dogs; on the right, Jacob, armed with a whip, labors the land with the aid of two oxes carrying a plow.
