Artwork
Ruth and Naomi in Boaz's field
Ruth and Naomi in Boaz's field is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1535 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The oil painting depicts a solitary woman dressed in vivid orange and white garments, standing amid a cultivated field.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses entirely on the interaction and presence of Ruth and Naomi, adhering to the traditional depiction of this episode from the Book of Ruth.
Created in 1535, this religious panel painting illustrates a specific narrative from the Old Testament, depicting the biblical figures Ruth and Naomi. The work's iconography centers on these two women, representing their presence within the agricultural setting of Boaz's field as described in the scriptural account. As a piece of religious art, the image serves to visualize the story of loyalty and providence associated with these characters.
The composition focuses entirely on the interaction and presence of Ruth and Naomi, adhering to the traditional depiction of this episode from the Book of Ruth.
Technique & Style
Ruth and Naomi in Boaz's field is executed in oil paint applied to a panel support, a medium and substrate characteristic of religious paintings from the mid-16th century. The work measures 70 cm in height and 58 cm in width, presenting a compact yet detailed composition. As a religious genre piece dated to 1535, the handling reflects the conventions of its era, focusing on the narrative depiction of Ruth and Naomi within the field setting.
The condition and specific stylistic nuances are consistent with the anonymous attribution and the collection context of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
History & Provenance
The painting Ruth and Naomi in Boaz's field was created in 1535 using oil paint on a panel support. The work is attributed to an anonymous artist and measures 70 cm in height by 58 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
The available records do not provide specific details regarding the original commission, the patron who ordered the work, or the precise chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum.
Overview
The oil painting depicts a solitary woman dressed in vivid orange and white garments, standing amid a cultivated field. She gestures toward a distant castle while holding a bundle of cloth, her red hat adding a striking accent. Behind her, a man in a red robe leans on a staff, observing her.
Figures in the background are engaged in labor or repose near a table set with food and a jug.
Context
Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects a 19th‑century interest in genre scenes that combine everyday labor with narrative suggestion. The inclusion of a castle on the horizon aligns with contemporary romantic fascination with historic architecture, while the domestic details, table, food, jug, anchor the scene in a recognizable rural setting.
Artist & collection
