Essau Selling his Birthright
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1551
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Essau Selling his Birthright is a 1551 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a chaotic scene with two men in the center. One man, older and bare-chested, holds a bowl while the other, younger and dressed, reaches toward it. Around them, animals—lions, goats, and a ram—scatter wildly. Above, two oval frames hold what look like shields or emblems with feathers and a crown. The younger man seems to be handing over something important, maybe a promise. The animals and the crowns suggest this scene is about power or family. Look up engraving to see how artists like Delaune carved these detailed lines.
