Jacob and Laban c. 18th century

Curator: This is Jean Audran's "Jacob and Laban," a print currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are roughly 34 by 44.5 centimeters. Editor: The composition feels staged, almost like a tableau vivant. Everyone seems to be playing a role, their expressions carefully calibrated. Curator: Audran, working in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was known for his reproductive engravings. Prints like this played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas across Europe. Editor: I'm struck by the goat in the foreground. It's a symbol of fertility and prosperity, obviously, but its presence also feels almost intrusive, grounding the scene in the everyday. Curator: Indeed, the story of Jacob and Laban revolves around themes of deception, inheritance, and family dynamics, which resonated deeply within the social and political context of the time. Editor: Seeing this rendering of an ancient story, frozen in this moment, it reminds us how enduring and adaptable these narratives are, continuing to find new life across the ages.