GIOVANNI BENEDETTO CASTIGLIONE (1609-64)
Laban Seeking his Idols
c. 1660RCIN 903896
Having won Laban’s flocks and his daughters Leah and Rachel as wives, Jacob set off to return to Canaan. On their departure Rachel stole her father’s household idols; when he discovered their loss Laban set off in pursuit, and on reaching the party started to search their baggage. But Rachel hid the idols in a saddle and sat on it, saying to her father ‘I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me.’ Here Jacob gestures towards Rachel who reclines against the saddle on the ground.