Laban Searching for his Idols (Genesis 31: 19-37)
Original title: Laban Searching for his Idols (Genesis 31: 19-37)
kurzbeschreibung
François Boucher captured the biblical moment when Laban searches for his household gods in this drawing. The sheet is executed in pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash, over faint traces of black chalk. It belongs to the 18th century and measures 33 x 21 cm.
Description
Two men stand in the foreground, talking. The one on the right, in a long robe, has placed his hand on the other's shoulder and gestures with his free hand; the left man looks up at him with a worried expression. Behind them appear further figures, a seated man and a child at a table. The setting is an interior whose tent-like structure is only hinted at in delicate strokes.
Context
Probably Boucher used this sheet as a preparatory study for a larger painting or print. Narratively it follows Genesis 31, where Laban searches for the stolen idols. Boucher was among the leading painters of the Rococo in the 18th century and was known for biblical and mythological subjects. The exact date of the drawing is not recorded.
Impact
Lively assembled figures and the expressive gestures of the two main characters carry the sheet. The brown tones and the wash create a warm, intimate mood that draws the viewer into the event. Because much remains only sketched, the drawing feels immediate and fresh.
Technique
For the clear contours Boucher used pen and brown ink, for the shading brush and brown wash. The light traces of black chalk served as an initial lay-in. This allowed him to work quickly and fluidly and to achieve soft transitions.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)