Rebecca and Eliezer (Le pont de bois)

Rebecca and Eliezer (Le pont de bois) is a pivotal print created by Claude Lorrain between 1638 and 1641. This highly accomplished work was executed primarily in etching, possibly augmented by the subtle tonal variations afforded by drypoint, reflecting the meticulous technique required for creating detailed artistic prints in the 17th century. As a leading French artist working in Rome during the period 1601 to 1650, Lorrain was instrumental in establishing the formal characteristics of the ideal landscape, blending classical topography, mythological narrative, and harmonious atmospheric effects.

The subject matter derives from the Book of Genesis, depicting the moment when Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, meets Rebecca at the well. However, in keeping with Lorrain’s signature style, the biblical narrative is integrated into a majestic and sprawling landscape setting. The parenthetical title, Le pont de bois (The Wooden Bridge), highlights a specific architectural detail that serves as an important visual anchor, directing the viewer’s eye deep into the composition. Lorrain uses this structure, alongside skillfully rendered trees and classical ruins, to establish the deep perspectival distance necessary for the idealized scene.

While best known for his large-scale oil paintings, Lorrain produced many influential prints throughout his career, often utilizing the difficulty of the etching process to control the quality of the line work and light distribution. The careful treatment of light is central to this piece, where atmospheric effects unify the foreground figures with the distant horizon. This specific artistic approach, reflecting the height of the French Baroque sensibility within a Roman setting, had a profound impact on subsequent generations of landscape painters and printmakers. This exceptional example of Lorrain’s graphic output is preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Today, as part of the visual heritage of the mid-17th century, prints such as this are often classified as public domain resources, ensuring their continued study and appreciation.