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Isaac and Rebekah

Watercolour
1863 (made)
Artist/Maker
Solomon, Simeon (artist)
Place of origin
England (made)
Britain (drawn)

Watercolour of Isaac and Rebekah. The couple are depicting facing each other with hands clasped. Rebekah has her eyes closed and Isaac is speaking to her. Initialled S. S. and dated.

Object details

Categories
Religion
Judaism
Watercolours
Object type
Watercolour
TitleIsaac and Rebekah (popular title)
Materials and techniques
watercolour
Watercolour Painting
Brief description
Watercolour, Isaac and Rebekah, by Simeon Solomon, 1863.
Physical description
Watercolour of Isaac and Rebekah. The couple are depicting facing each other with hands clasped. Rebekah has her eyes closed and Isaac is speaking to her. Initialled S. S. and dated.
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.4cm
  • Width: 20.3cm
Styles
British School
Pre-Raphaelite
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
S. S. (18)63 (Signed and dated )
Credit line
Bought with the assistance of A. E. Anderson, Esq.
Object history
The story of Isaac and Rebekah (or Rebecca) illustrates the supposed gradual fulfillment of the promise made by God, that Sarah and Abraham would have many descendents, enough to become a nation.

The story of Rebecca contains three different episodes:
1.) the betrothal and marriage of Rebecca (Genesis 24). Rebecca is introduced as a brave and resourceful young woman; she impressed all the people who met her and was considered a good match for Isaac.

2.) the birth and youth of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:19-34). Rebecca gave birth to two sons with very different temperaments. The conflict between them would be the basis for conflict between later generations and nations.

3.) Rebecca and the blessing of Isaac (Genesis 27). Rebecca manipulated the situation so that the tribe would be led by an intelligent man rather than a popular but shallow man, so that decisions for the tribe would be based on wisdom rather than impulse or emotion.

Subjects depicted
Bible
Jewish
Isaac
Rebecca
Bibliographic references
  • Cruise, Colin et al., Love revealed : Simeon Solomon and the Pre-Raphaelites London : Merrell, 2005. 44
  • Love Revealed. Simeon Solomon and the Pre-Raphaelites. Exhibition Guide Pamphlet produced by Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1925, London: Board of Education, 1926.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
P.46-1925

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Record createdAugust 1, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O126679/isaac-and-rebekah-watercolour-solomon-simeon/
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