“The Wrestle of Jacob” is an 1855 artwork by Gustave Doré, belonging to the Romanticism art movement and categorized as a religious painting. The artwork portrays a significant biblical event where Jacob wrestles with an angel, a powerful scene illustrating themes of struggle and divine encounter.
In the artwork, Jacob and the angel are consistently engaged in a dramatic physical contest set against a nocturnal backdrop. Jacob’s muscular form, wrapped in a reddish garment, contrasts vividly with the ethereal presence of the angel, who is adorned in flowing, light-colored drapery and has majestic wings. The terrain is rugged, implying the arduous nature of the struggle, while the distant landscape is serene, featuring an expansive view of the surrounding countryside with tents and palm trees. The overall composition and contrast of colors evoke a sense of tension, determination, and divine intervention, characteristic of Romanticism’s emphasis on deep emotion and dramatic expression.
