‘Jacob Blessing Ephraim and Manasseh,’ by Frederick Richard Pickersgill

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Jacob Blessing Ephraim and Manasseh

Frederick Richard Pickersgill

Produced after 1863, but not published until 1880–81

Proof wood engraving cut by the Dalziel Brothers, printed on India paper

8½ x 7 inches

Illustration in Dalziels’ Bible Gallery.

Plate 23. Pickersgill’s deeply-felt design shows the moment when Jacob adopts his two grandsons as his sons, blessing Ephraim (the younger son) with his right hand so that he is acknowledged in the same terms as his older brother Genesis 48: 1–22). Joseph does not approve, but Jacob insists on giving the boys equal status. [Commentary continues below.]

Scanned image and text by Simon Cooke. [Click on the image to enlarge it, and mouse over the text for links.]

Pickersgill’s intricate gestural group typifies his capacity to create monumental, highly-charged arrangements. Though not normally associated with the Pre-Raphaelites, his work here recalls the manner of J.E. Millais, at least in its emphasis on a deeply-felt embrace.

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Bibliography

Dalziels’ Bible Gallery. London: Routledge, 1881 [1880].

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Created 6 August 2026