Study for Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph (recto); Sketches: Saint Christopher; Two Figures in Conversation over Money (verso)

Prints and Drawings

c. 1620

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino
Italian, 1591-1666

This is the earliest known study for a commission that Guercino was given in 1620 by Cardinal Jacopo Serra, Legate of Ferrara. The forceful, naturalistic drawing captures the moment of the Old Testament story in which Joseph attempts to guide the blessing arm of the nearly blind Jacob away from his younger son Ephraim to the head of his first-born, Manasse.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Prints and Drawings

Artist: Guercino
Title: Study for Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph (recto); Sketches: Saint Christopher; Two Figures in Conversation over Money (verso)
Place: Italy (Artist's nationality)
Date: 1615–1625
Medium: Pen and brown ink, with brush and gray and brown wash (recto) and pen and brown ink and graphite (verso), on cream laid paper
Dimensions: 18.1 × 24.5 cm (7 3/16 × 9 11/16 in.)
Credit Line: The Leonora Hall Gurley Memorial Collection
Reference Number: 1922.484
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