Laban cherchant ses dieux (Laban Searching for his Household Gods)

1753

Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin

Associated Names
Gabriel de Saint-Aubin

Artist, French, 1724 - 1780

This is a drawing of a gathering of people in a biblical or historical setting. The scene depicts several individuals beneath a tent-like canopy. To the center-left, a woman sits with an infant on her lap, surrounded by other figures in flowing robes. To the right, a figure stands authoritatively, gesturing as if speaking or giving instructions. The detailed etching captures the texture of the fabrics and expressions of the figures, with shading and cross-hatching used to create depth and dimension. The scene is composed with a balance of horizontal and vertical elements, drawing the viewer's eye across the assembly of figures and objects on the ground.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed within platemark): 16.8 × 23.3 cm (6 5/8 × 9 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1958.8.135

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Dacier 1914, no. 11, State iii/iii


Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1914

  • Dacier, Emile. L'oeuvre grave de Gabriel de Saint-Aubin; notice biographique et catalogue raisonne. Paris: Societe pour l'Etude de la Gravure Francaise, 1914.

Inscriptions

recto: in plate, below image, at left: gabriel de St aubin inv; in plate, below image, at center: LABAN CHERCHANT SES DIEUX; in plate below image, at right: épreuve de 10 mars 1763 verso: none

Markings

recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art

Watermarks

circle with figures?

Wikidata ID

Q65224420

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