Jacob’s fight with the angel (1856 – 1861) by Eugene Delacroix

Jacob's fight with the angel - Eugene Delacroix - 1856 - 1861

Artwork Information

TitleJacob's fight with the angel
ArtistEugene Delacroix
Date1856 - 1861
Mediumoil
Dimensions714 x 485 cm
Art MovementRomanticism
Current LocationSaint-Sulpice, Paris, France

About Jacob's fight with the angel

The artwork titled “Jacob’s fight with the angel” was created by the distinguished artist Eugene Delacroix between the years 1856 and 1861. Manifesting the Romanticism movement of the period, this religious painting was executed using oil as a medium. The piece is of monumental proportions, measuring approximately 714 by 485 centimeters, and presently resides in Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France.

Depicted in the artwork is a dramatic scene illuminated with a vivid palette—two central figures engage in a fierce struggle amidst a natural landscape. The figure of Jacob is locked in combat with an angel, as narrated in the biblical episode. This tumultuous encounter takes place under the boughs of aged trees that stretch skyward. The mastery of Delacroix is evidenced in his dynamic composition; the figures are rendered with a palpable sense of energy and movement, a hallmark of Romantic art that seeks to capture the vibrancy and emotion of its subjects.

Surrounding these main figures, the environment is richly detailed, filled with lush foliage and a variety of warm and cool tones that evoke a mood of otherworldly intensity. The background teems with other individuals in various states of motion, contributing to the sensation of a scene caught in a moment of high tension. Delacroix’s use of color and light enhances the spiritual and emotional resonance of the scene, making “Jacob’s fight with the angel” a profound statement on human struggle and divine interaction.

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