Artwork
Rebekah and Eliezer at the Well
Rebekah and Eliezer at the Well is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Cornelis Buys. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, titled Rebekah and Eliezer at the Well, was created by Cornelis Buys around 1550. It depicts a key moment from a biblical narrative, rendered with oil paint. The work is currently part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum, where it offers insight into 16th-century religious art.
Subject & Meaning
In the distance, a walled city with towers and a bridge is visible under a cloudy sky, setting a detailed backdrop for the encounter.
The painting illustrates the biblical account of Eliezer, Abraham's servant, meeting Rebekah at a well. A central figure, likely Rebekah, is shown in a blue garment, drawing water. She is surrounded by a lively group of onlookers, including figures in armor, on a rocky terrain. In the distance, a walled city with towers and a bridge is visible under a cloudy sky, setting a detailed backdrop for the encounter.
Technique & Style
Buys employs oil paint to create a detailed narrative scene, contrasting the serene act of drawing water with a bustling environment. The composition places a calm, focused figure at the well, while a crowd of brightly dressed individuals observes from the surrounding hillside. This visual tension between the quiet central action and the dynamic background elements characterizes the artist's approach to depicting the biblical story.
Artist & collection
