Jacob sending his sons to Egypt 1594 - 1678

Salomon Savery created this print, Jacob sending his sons to Egypt, during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of unprecedented economic growth and cultural flourishing for the Netherlands. Looking closely, we can see how Savery combines biblical narrative with contemporary Dutch visual codes. The landscape, for example, evokes the familiar flatlands and detailed realism characteristic of Dutch art. But this isn't just a scene of everyday life; it's a depiction of a story from the Book of Genesis, reflecting the deep influence of religious narratives in Dutch culture. The presence of a prosperous, if rustic, building is interesting too. It implies the Dutch emphasis on family and community during a time of great social change. The print is a fascinating intersection of faith, landscape, and social values. As art historians, we can dig deeper by examining period sources and the patronage networks that supported artists like Savery, revealing the complex interplay between art, religion, and society.