OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Alexander-Louis Leloir - Jacob and the Angel, 1865
(oil on canvas) Musee des Beaux-Arts,
Good and bad, heaven and hell, dark and light, heavenly and earthly being and blond and brunette are all antitheses which play into Leloir’s “Jacob and the Angel” where with each stroke of his brush the French artist captures the intense biblical scene illustrating strong luring homoerotic undertones. It is no wonder that the art was used in the gay themed film “Angels in 
Artists such as Rembrandt (1659), Gustave Doré (1855), Eugène Delacroix (1861), Paul Gaugin (1888) and Léon Bonnat (1876) have all depicted their interpretation of Jacob and the Angel, but no other artist encapsulates the tremendous beauty, physical strength, determination and grandeur as Leloir. Risqué is taken in by the masculine body features, Jacob’s overpowering grip around the Angel’s waist, the Angel’s impetuous reach for the hollow of Jacob’s thigh and Jacob’s intense deep gaze back onto the angel’s eyes. …Risqué can only gasp and take another sip of wine while continuing to further explore Leloir’s vision of beauty.Such opposites…and opposites do attract!
April 17th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Does anyone know where prints of this painting by this artist can be purchased?! I REALLY would like to buy a copy…. Please email me at darinconnecticut@yahoo,com, if you know how to acquire it….
Thank you!!!!
D
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
I too would love a print of this painting and have been searching everywhere for one. My research has revealed the original is on display at the Museum of Art- Roger Quilliot located in the City of Clermont-Ferrand, France. Not sure if they have a store to purchase copies, but it might be a start.