Jacob's Journey and the Pillar of Bethel

Image credit: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

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Sébastien Bourdon was one of the most successful painters of seventeenth-century France. With a small group of like-minded artists, he established the Académie de peinture et de sculpture in 1648, and in 1655 he became its rector. The book of Genesis recounts how on his journey to Mesopotamia to seek a wife, Jacob had a vision of angels going up and down a staircase to Heaven. He erected a stone pillar to mark the spot. On his return journey, Jacob built an altar at the place, which he renamed 'Bethel', or 'House of God'. The painting shows the importance of Nicolas Poussin's influence on Bourdin.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol

Title

Jacob's Journey and the Pillar of Bethel

Date

c.1640

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 60.9 x W 82.5 cm

Accession number

K1090

Acquisition method

purchased, 1931

Work type

Painting

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