Where Is Isaac Blessing Jacob? Museum Location

Q: Who painted Isaac Blessing Jacob?

The fresco is attributed to Giotto or a close associate called the 'Isaac Master.' Some scholars suggest Pietro Cavallini based on similarities to his Roman work.

Q: Where can I see this fresco?

The fresco remains in the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy, part of the Old Testament cycle.

Q: What biblical story does it show?

Blind Isaac blesses his younger son Jacob, who disguises himself as Esau to steal the firstborn's inheritance. Their mother Rebekah watches, having planned the deception.

Q: Why is this fresco art-historically important?

It shows early experiments with believable space and psychological realism. The innovations influenced Fra Angelico, Masaccio, and later Renaissance painters.

This fresco, attributed to Giotto di Bondone or a close associate, dates to around 1290 and forms part of the Old Testament cycle in the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi. The elderly, blind Isaac extends his blessing to Jacob, who disguises himself as his older brother Esau to receive the inheritance. Rebekah, the boys' mother and conspirator, watches from behind.

The fresco shows early versions of Giotto's radical techniques: figures occupy believable space, and the scene unfolds with psychological realism despite the cutaway wall revealing the interior. Some scholars attribute the work to the anonymous "Isaac Master" rather than Giotto himself, noting similarities to Pietro Cavallini's work in Rome. Regardless of attribution, the fresco influenced generations of painters including Fra Angelico and Masaccio. The image demonstrates how human drama could transform biblical narrative.

The fresco is attributed to Giotto or a close associate called the 'Isaac Master.' Some scholars suggest Pietro Cavallini based on similarities to his Roman work.

The fresco remains in the Upper Church of the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy, part of the Old Testament cycle.

Blind Isaac blesses his younger son Jacob, who disguises himself as Esau to steal the firstborn's inheritance. Their mother Rebekah watches, having planned the deception.

It shows early experiments with believable space and psychological realism. The innovations influenced Fra Angelico, Masaccio, and later Renaissance painters.

Isaac Blessing Jacob

Where to See It

The Artist

More by Giotto di Bondone

St. Francis Giving his Mantle to a Poor Man

Canonization of St Francis

The Trial by Fire, St. Francis offers to walk through fire, to convert the Sultan of Egypt

Ognissanti Madonna

Also at Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Assisi

St. Francis Giving his Mantle to a Poor Man

Canonization of St Francis

The Trial by Fire, St. Francis offers to walk through fire, to convert the Sultan of Egypt

Pentecost

Related Renaissance Works

Sistine Madonna

The Birth of Venus

The School of Athens

The Alba Madonna

Venus of Urbino

Venus with a Mirror

Laocoön

Pallas and the Centaur

About Isaac Blessing Jacob

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