The subject for this drawing is taken from the Book of Genesis (31.8 – 35). The story tells of Jacob’s flight with his two wives, Rachel and Leah, from his father-in-law Laban. Jacob took with him all his belongings, servants, and livestock, as well as much of Laban’s wealth. Rachel had stolen her father’s household gods, and concealed these in her camel’s saddle. This is a fine example of Castiglione's brush drawings, where he used a mixture of linseed oil with brown pigment, to which he then added colour. This choice of medium was possibly inspired by the oil sketches of Van Dyck, in whose studio Castiglione is said to have worked.