Jacob Draws Water for Rachel's Animals (Jacob abreuve le troupeau de Rachel)

About this artwork

This enchanting engraving, titled *Jacob Draws Water for Rachel's Animals* (or *Jacob abreuve le troupeau de Rachel*), captures a pivotal biblical moment from Genesis 29, where Jacob labors at a well to water Rachel's flock, symbolizing his fateful meeting and budding romance. Created by the masterful French engraver Claude Mellan after a composition by the Venetian Renaissance artist Paolo Veronese (Paolo Caliari), it blends Veronese's dramatic, vibrant Mannerist style—known for its rich narratives and elegant figures—with Mellan's precise reproductive technique. Though the exact date is unknown, the work exemplifies 17th-century printmaking's role in disseminating grand religious scenes to wider audiences. As an engraving, the image is incised into a metal plate, allowing for intricate details like the flowing robes of men and women, the patient camels, and milling sheep around the central well. Measuring 15 1/8 x 16 3/4 inches, its large sheet size enhances the sense of bustling activity and pastoral drama. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department through the bequest of Grace M. Pugh in 1985, this print highlights engraving's cultural importance: it made Veronese's opulent visions accessible beyond oil paintings, fostering devotion and artistic appreciation in homes and collections across Europe. A testament to collaboration across generations, it invites viewers to ponder themes of providence and human connection.