Artwork
Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well
Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bernardo Strozzi. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1630, the oil painting *Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well* is an early‑Baroque work by the Genoese artist Bernardo Strozzi, also known as il Cappuccino. It is presently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, where it represents Strozzi’s engagement with biblical narrative subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows the biblical encounter at the well: Rebecca, dressed in a red skirt and white blouse, holds a jug while gazing toward Eliezer, who wears a red hat and tunic and grips a rope. Their poised exchange suggests a moment of quiet negotiation and hospitality, central themes in the Genesis story.
Technique & Style
Strozzi employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated figures against a darkened landscape of trees and clouded sky. This lighting model gives the characters a three‑dimensional presence and guides the eye to the interaction at the well, reflecting the dramatic yet restrained aesthetic of early Baroque painting.
History & Provenance
Bernardo Strozzi, originally active in Genoa before moving to Venice, produced a range of history paintings alongside genre and religious works. His career helped disseminate Baroque visual ideas across both cities, and this particular canvas entered the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister collection through later acquisitions of Italian Baroque holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bernardo Strozzi, named il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese (c. 1581 – 2 August 1644), was an Italian Baroque artist who was a painter and engraver. A canvas and fresco artist, his wide subject range included history,…
