Esau verkoopt zijn eerstgeboorterecht aan Jakob 1609 - 1659

This print, titled "Esau sells his birthright to Jacob," was made by an anonymous artist, and it's an intaglio print – meaning the image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the density of the lines dictates the shading and depth. This meticulous technique would have required considerable skill, patience, and time. The story of Esau and Jacob, found in Genesis, touches on themes of inheritance, deception, and ultimately, the shifting of power dynamics within a family. The act of selling a birthright can be seen as a transaction, a sort of early capitalist exchange. Here, we see not just a biblical narrative, but also a reflection on the value of heritage and the choices individuals make when faced with immediate needs versus long-term inheritance. It’s interesting to consider that this print, made with such care, serves as both a religious lesson and a commentary on earthly matters. It reminds us that art is never separate from the world in which it is made.