De twaalf aartsvaderen, de zonen Jacobs ziet / Men hier ten trappenrei gesteld met hunnen namen, / Gelyk zy tot hem om zyn laatsten zegen kwamen, / Wel wetende dat God dien zegen zelf gebiedt 1806 - 1830

This print, by Johan Noman, presents a visual tableau of Jacob bestowing blessings upon his twelve sons. The composition is structured in a pyramid-like hierarchy, with Jacob at the apex, creating a sense of order and divine arrangement. The artist uses a limited palette, mostly neutral tones with touches of red and yellow, which emphasizes the symbolic nature of the scene over realism. The figures are methodically placed on what looks like an architectural structure, reminiscent of a stage or altar. This arrangement transforms the biblical narrative into a carefully constructed visual system. The architectural framework, combined with the ascending figures, suggests a deeper symbolic structure at play. It invites us to consider how Noman uses form and composition to create a visual language rooted in the cultural and religious codes of his time, prompting a re-evaluation of family, legacy, and divine will.