Willem van Nieulandt (1584-1635)

Laban Demanding the Return of the Teraphim from Rachel

This very busy oil on panel is a Dutch Old Master painting dating to around 1620 by artist and poet Willem van Nieulandt. It is an incredibly detailed and colourful scene composed of numerous characters and animals set amongst ruins. It basically illustrates a topic from Genesis 31 in the bible where Rachel has stolen her father Laban's teraphim or household gods. This is a topic of much debate in religious literature. It is a stunningly beautiful Old Master painting displaying considerable artistry.

Provenance Christie's London.

Click the link below for this painting
https://www.richardtaylorfineart.com/artist/nieulandt/laban-demanding-the-return-of-the-teraphim-from-rachel