Jacob’s journey to Egypt 1510 - 1592

Jacopo Bassano likely made this drawing of Jacob’s journey to Egypt in 16th-century Italy. We see the biblical patriarch leading his family on their exodus. What might this image have meant to viewers in Bassano’s time? Biblical scenes were a common subject, but here, Bassano shows the journey as arduous and the figures as common folk. This naturalistic approach reflects the cultural shift of the Renaissance, emphasizing human experience and observation. Venice's artistic institutions, such as the Guilds, played a crucial role in standardizing artistic training and production, but there was also a rising interest in more individualized and expressive styles. This drawing suggests a move away from idealized depictions towards a more immediate, human portrayal of biblical figures. To fully appreciate this work, one might explore period writings on religion, family, and social life. The study of these cultural artifacts is the task of the historian, revealing how artistic choices reflect and shape the values of their time.