An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Jacob Wrestling with the Angelearly 1620s
Artist: Cristoforo Roncalli (il Pomarancio)
Italian (Tuscany), c. 1553-1626
angel with blonde curly hair at left, wearing flowing yellow garment and gold and blue sandals, wrestling with man with brown hair and beard at right, wearing brown robes; plain gilt frame with "POMARANCIO" on plate at bottom center
96 1/2 × 65 3/4 in. (245.11 × 167.01 cm) (sight)
107 1/2 × 75 1/4 × 3 1/2 in. (273.05 × 191.14 × 8.89 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
Italy
17th century
Gift of John Morton Morris in honor of Patrick Noon
In the quiet embrace of night, a man named Jacob ventured home to Canaan, weary with the weight of the past and the impending encounter with his twin brother, Esau. In an act of both courage and remorse, he had sent his family and servants ahead, offering gifts—his finest livestock—as a gesture of reconciliation. But as darkness draped the landscape, Jacob found himself alone, a solitary figure against the vastness of the world.
The night air was thick with anticipation when Jacob, in his solitude, stumbled upon a stranger. A silent charge surged between them, compelling them to wrestle—a tussle that transcended the physical, becoming a test of resolve and will. Under the fleeting stars and the watchful moon, their struggle persisted until dawn began to break. The mysterious opponent had strength, yet it became evident that the encounter was veiled in something far more intricate than raw power.
With the arrival of dawn’s first light, the angel, realizing that Jacob's spirit was unyielding, gently but decisively placed his hip out of joint. “Let me go, for the day is breaking,” the celestial being implored, but Jacob, steadfast and resolute, refused to relent without a blessing. In that moment, amidst the shadows of the night giving way to the dawn, an identity was forged. The angel inquired Jacob's name and proclaimed a transformation: “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with human beings and have prevailed.” Thus, the angel bestowed upon him a blessing, sealing a lifelong metamorphosis.
This profound encounter was forever captured by the brush of Cristoforo Roncalli, whose artistry breathed life into the moment. In the painting, Jacob and the angel are entwined in a struggle that holds a hint of tenderness, an embrace that belies the intensity of their clash. Roncalli’s use of bold, energetic forms creates a dance of light and shadow, illuminating the angel’s delicate features—the ethereal glow of pale flesh, vibrant yellow draperies, and iridescent wings standing in stark contrast to Jacob’s darker silhouette.
This masterwork found its way into the vault of history, likely commissioned by Cardinal Baronio, later Pope Urban VIII Barberini, who cherished the depth of its narrative. As Urban ascended to the papacy in 1623, the painting transitioned into the care of his family, becoming a cherished artifact passed down through generations of the Barberini lineage until the 20th century, when it was acquired by a museum.
In its journey, the artwork underwent significant conservation, a careful revival that saw the canvas mounted on a new stretcher, reinforcing its support. Layers of grime, remnants of time, were meticulously removed, revealing the masterpiece beneath—a visual testament to the wrestle of identity, legacy, and triumph over human frailty. In a world that oftentimes feels chaotic, this painting, like Jacob’s story, invites us to pause, reflect, and embrace the transformative power of struggle—both within and beyond ourselves.
About the artist
Inspiring wonder through the power of art. The Minneapolis Institute of Art enriches the community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from the world’s diverse cultures.
The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.
Address: 2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
The best place to view Minneapolis Institute of Art‘s artwork is on Galleree. Hear the story behind this work, interact with the image, discuss with people, curate your own playlists, and discover so much more from great artists and institutions alike.