Isaac Blessing Jacob

SERIES
YEAR
2024–2026
MEDIUM
Carved wood
DIMENSIONS
174 × 149 cm (68.5 × 58.7 in)
“Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee.”
Genesis 27:28–29

About

This Work

The scene is one of the most morally complex in the entire biblical narrative: a father’s blessing, a disguise, a stolen inheritance. And yet — the text insists — the blessing holds. God’s purposes work through human imperfection. Amnon Moalem’s rendering in carved wood strips the scene of any decorative distraction, allowing the figures and the moment between them to carry the full weight of the encounter.

The Craft Behind the Work

Wood Carving

In the carved wooden works, the initial preparation may involve CNC technology to establish the primary structure and composition. Amnon then continues through extensive manual carving, refinement, and surface work. The balance between technological preparation and handwork varies according to the scale, subject, and requirements of each piece.

Cast-Epoxy

Epoxy resin is used in selected works as an independent material or in combination with carved wood. Its role differs from one piece to another and may include structural, visual, translucent, or surface-related functions.

Gold, Silver & Copper Leaves

The gilding stage is the final and most demanding phase. Metallic leaves, 24 Karat gold, silver, and copper, are applied by hand, sheet by sheet, to the finished surface. The technique is ancient, used for centuries to adorn relics, altarpieces, and sacred objects. In Amnon's work it serves the same purpose: to signal that what you are looking at is not ordinary.

How a Monumental

Work Is Made

Source, Research & Interpretation

Most works begin with a close study of a well-known artwork or engraving. Amnon develops a personal interpretation through material, technique, scale, composition, and surface treatment.

Planning & Digital Preparation

The composition, scale, and proportions are prepared for production. In carved wooden works, this stage may include CNC-assisted preparation before the manual carving process begins.

Manual Carving & Refinement

Following the initial preparation, Amnon performs extensive manual carving and refinement, developing the surfaces, forms, and details of the work.

Casting & Integration

In works that include cast-epoxy, the cast elements are produced and integrated according to the specific material and compositional requirements of the piece.

Surface Preparation

The combined structure is prepared for gilding: smoothed, sealed, and given a base that will hold the metallic leaves.

Gilding

Gold, silver, and copper leaves are applied by hand, one sheet at a time. A large-scale work can require weeks of gilding alone.

Documentation

Each completed work is photographed professionally, measured precisely, and documented for the collector’s record.

More Arts

Moses

Moses turns from the mountain carrying the two tables of the testimony, written on both their sides — the moment before he sees what is waiting for him…

David and Goliath

The story of David and Goliath has transcended its origin to become the defining archetype of the unlikely victory — the small against the great, faith against force.…

The Spies

At 224 centimeters wide, The Spies is the largest work in the Hebrew Bible Series. The image it depicts — two men carrying a single enormous cluster of…

Lay Not Thine Hand Upon the Lad

This is the moment the test ends. The knife is raised. The angel speaks. The ram appears in the thicket. In the three millennia since, every parent who…

Samson

The final act of Samson's life — blind, captive, his enemies gathered to mock him — ends with a demonstration of strength more decisive than any that preceded…

Inquire About This Work