Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (La Lutte de Jacob avec l'Ange)
Odilon Redon
European Art
Here, the artist portrays a biblical story as if it were a moment from a dream. Emphasizing the narrative’s visionary qualities, he places his two diminutive figures at the bottom of the canvas, between towering trees and bathed in an atmosphere of opalescent color. Odilon Redon was one of many artists at the end of the nineteenth century who, as he described, freed himself from “the encumbrances of naturalistic particularities” in favor of “the representation of imagined things.”
MEDIUM
Oil on canvas
DATES
ca. 1905–1910
DIMENSIONS
56 1/2 x 24 1/2 in. (143.5 x 62.2 cm)
Frame: 62 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 3 in. (158.8 x 77.5 x 7.6 cm)
(show scale)
SIGNATURE
Signed lower left: "Odilon Redon"
ACCESSION NUMBER
60.31
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Alexander M. Bing
PROVENANCE
Prior provenance not yet documented; before 1940, probably acquired by Jos Hessel of Paris, France; before 1959, reportedly acquired by Marcel Kapferer of Paris; before 1959, acquired by Alexander M. Bing of New York, NY; March 9, 1960 bequeathed by Alexander M. Bing to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916). Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (La Lutte de Jacob avec l'Ange), ca. 1905–1910. Oil on canvas, 56 1/2 x 24 1/2 in. (143.5 x 62.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Alexander M. Bing, 60.31 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 60.31_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 60.31_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
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Why is that figure nude?
Well, you may have read this on the label already, but this is actually a biblical scene: Jacob wrestling with an angel. Angels are sometimes depicted without clothes, but I could see why you would see the artist's choice to show Jacob without clothing as interesting. Redon is known for his symbolist paintings, so the nudity may have a specific meaning for him--a return to nature, perhaps? An epic wrestling match where everything is exposed? There could be many reasons behind the nudity that are meaningful for the symbolists.
Who is depicted here?
This early-20th century French work depicts the Biblical figure Jacob wrestling with an angel. Odilon Redon was known for his symbolist works in oils, prints, and pastels.