Artwork
Laban cherchant ses dieux (Laban Searching for his Household Gods)
Laban cherchant ses dieux (Laban Searching for his Household Gods) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. It dates from 1753 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed: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
- Marked:recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art
About this work
Overview
Laban cherchant ses dieux is a 1753 etching on laid paper by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, depicting a dynamic scene centered around a bearded man pointing upwards amidst a gathering of people near a rocky outcrop.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates a biblical narrative where Laban searches for his missing household gods, as suggested by the title. The scene conveys a sense of urgency and inquiry through the varied postures and actions of the figures.
Technique & Style
De Saint-Aubin employed etching to achieve detailed textures, evident in the rocky terrain and intricately rendered clothing. The use of fine lines imbues the work with a sketchy, high-contrast quality, enhanced by the black-and-white palette.
History & Provenance
Created in 1753, the etching's provenance details are not specified here, focusing instead on its creation by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin during this period.
Context
This work reflects 18th-century interest in biblical themes in art, with de Saint-Aubin's interpretation emphasizing dramatic composition and detailed etching techniques prevalent in his time.
Legacy
The legacy of Laban cherchant ses dieux lies in its representation of de Saint-Aubin's skill in etching and his contribution to the visual interpretation of biblical stories in 18th-century French art.
Own this work as a print
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