3009
„Scene from the Old Testament (probably the story of Rebekah as the archmother and the exodus of the tribes of Israel)“
first half of the 17th century
oil on panel; framed
44.5 x 65.5 cm
indistinctly monogrammed on the lower left: (HVB) ?
Provenance
Collection Carl Widakowich, Vienna (1861-1932);
Gilhofer & Ranschburg Vienna, auction of the Collection Carl Widakowich, 23 November 1937, no. 48, ill. pl. 7 (as Frans Francken the Younger, Biblical Scene of the Exodus of the Jews, monogrammed F.F.);
private property, Vienna
Reserve Price: € 10.000 +fees +if applicable Droit de Suite
The same fees apply for bids at the reserve price as during the auction and a knockdown can take place immediately after processing.Estimate: € 10.000 - 20.000
This painting can be read as a traditional genealogy of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 24-27), in the form of a complex arrangement of several scenes from the Old Testament in the foreground and background. It probably tells the story of Rebekah, wife of the progenitor Isaac and mother of the twin brothers Esau, the founder of the Edomite people, and Jacob, the subsequent biblical progenitor of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The central focus of the painting is the female figure Rebekah, who is watering the surrounding animals and looking directly at the viewer. The figure on the left, wearing a bright red robe and carrying a walking stick, can be identified as Eliezer – the servant sent out by the aged Abraham in search of a wife for his son Isaac. The young man with dogs placed prominently on the right edge of the picture is thus probably Isaac waiting for his bride.
The "bridal choice" depicted in the foreground is thus the prefiguration of the rest of the biblical story, which is depicted in small figures in the typical blue-green middle ground or background opening up to the right. The future father-in-law Abraham (or Isaac, the bridegroom himself) joyfully takes Rebekah's hand and welcomes her on a camel after her long journey. To the right, as a further leap in time, the twin sons of this union, Jacob and Esau, are pictured embracing. The embrace symbolises their reconciliation (after their ongoing dispute over the right of the first-born, which Esau sold to Jacob for a lentil dish), as well as the associated separation of the twin brothers and their entourage – depicted as people flowing in two directions with raised sticks and animals.
The composition, which is difficult to interpret iconographically, is also related to the classical depiction of "Rachel at the Well", the scene in which Jacob, the son of Rebekah, meets his wife Rachel, also one of the progenitors, in the land of Laban. There are also clear reminiscences of the popular 17th century motif of the "Melkmeisje" (milkmaid), which is documented as a central theme in paintings by masters from the northern Netherlands.
In addition to its multi-layered symbolism, this charming painting captivates with its classically textured and luminous colour scheme, in tones of reddish brown, blue and green, as well as with the skilful composition of the figures and the richness of detail typical to its genre.