Cleveland Museum of Art

Laban Searching for His Stolen Household Gods

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Date

c. 1665–70

Medium

oil on canvas

Culture

Spain

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This story comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis and stresses the value of reconciliation. Jacob lived with his uncle Laban for years, marrying Laban’s daughters Rachel and Leah. When the relationship between the men soured, Jacob and his family departed, while Rachel secretly stole her father’s household gods. When Laban discovered that the statues were missing, he pursued Jacob, accusing him of theft. Here, Jacob invites Laban to search his tent, while Rachel sits on the saddlebag containing the statues. After coming up empty-handed, Laban proposes a truce, ending the squabble.

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