Artwork
The Prophet Elisha and the Woman of Shunem
The Prophet Elisha and the Woman of Shunem is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerbrand van den Eeckhout. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.
About this work
Overview
Gerbrand van den Eeckhout, a Dutch painter of the mid‑17th century and a prominent pupil of Rembrandt, completed an oil canvas titled *The Prophet Elisha and the Woman of Shunam* in 1664. The work is part of the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest’s collection and portrays a biblical episode involving the prophet Elisha and a local woman.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a kneeling woman dressed in a vivid red garment, her head lowered in reverence. Opposite her sits an elderly, bearded figure in a similar red robe, his hands raised as if offering a blessing or prayer. A second male figure stands behind them, observing the interaction, suggesting a narrative of hospitality or divine favor.
Technique & Style
Van den Eeckhout employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated forms against darker surroundings to model volume and create spatial depth. The landscape behind the figures—rolling hills, distant mountains, and a cloud‑dotted sky—uses more muted tones, allowing the red robes to dominate the visual hierarchy.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in the 1660s, the painting has passed through various collections before entering the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest. Its attribution to van den Eeckhout rests on stylistic parallels with other works by the artist and documented links to his workshop.
Context
The subject derives from a story in the Hebrew Scriptures where the prophet Elisha is welcomed by a woman of Shunem, an episode often depicted to illustrate themes of hospitality and divine reward. Dutch painters of the Golden Age frequently turned to such biblical narratives for moral and didactic purposes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerbrand van den Eeckhout (19 August 1621 – 29 September 1674) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and a favourite student of Rembrandt. He was also an etcher, an amateur poet, a collector and an adviser on art.
