Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the start of harvest. The town was home to Boaz, a rich relative of Naomi. To earn a living, Ruth would gather the ears of corn which the reapers left on the fields. Boaz met Ruth during a visit to the fields and offered her favours as a reward for her loyalty to Noami. (Ruth 2:4-9)
The Rembrandt pupil Gerbrand van de Eeckhout painted no less than six versions of this theme between 1651 and 1672. In this work dating from 1655, the painter depicts Boaz as a wealthy Oriental with a richly decorated gown and a turban. In the eyes of the people of the 17th century, such clothing gave the scene an authentic feel.
Specifications
| Title | Boaz and Ruth |
|---|---|
| Material and technique | Oil on canvas |
| Object type |
Painting
> Painting
> Two-dimensional object
> Art object
|
| Location | This object is in storage |
| Dimensions |
Depth 1,6 cm Width 81,7 cm Height 74,7 cm |
|---|---|
| Artists |
Painter:
Gerbrand van den Eeckhout
|
| Accession number | 1192 (OK) |
| Credits | Gift J. van Vollenhoven, 1870 |
| Department | Old Masters |
| Acquisition date | 1870 |
| Creation date | in 1655 |
| Research |
Show research Alma |
| Material | |
| Object | |
| Geographical origin | Northern Netherlands > The Netherlands > Western Europe > Europe |
