Rembrandt (1606-1669)
Isaac and Rebecca, known as ‘The Jewish Bride’
c.1665–1669
Oil on canvas, 121.5 x 166.5 cm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
To prevent being killed and having his wife captured by King Abimelech, Isaac concealed his love for Rebecca by pretending they were brother and sister. However, their intimacy betrayed them when they thought they were not being spied on. Rembrandt depicts them in a tender moment. Furthermore, he works with exceptional freedom, applies the paint thickly, and scratches into it with the butt end of his paintbrush. (RIJKS)