Bathsheba at the Fountain

Bathsheba at the Fountain
Artist	Peter Paul Rubens
Year	c. 1635
Medium	Oil on oak
Dimensions	175 cm× 126 cm(69 in× 50 in)
Location	Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden

Bathsheba at the Fountain is a painting by Peter Paul Rubens completed around 1635. ^[1]

Subject

The central figure is Bathsheba, a character from the Bible. She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. The story, related in 2 Samuel 11 describes how King David, who is shown as a small figure on a balcony in the top left corner, saw Bathsheba bathing and fell in love with her. This painting shows her receiving the letter from David, inviting her for a discreet meeting being delivered. ^[2]

Bathsheba is attended by a maid who is combing her hair. There is also an African servant who is delivering David's letter. A dog is at her feet. Bathsheba is smiling and looking into the distance. ^[2]

References

1. "Bathsheba at the Fountain by RUBENS, Peter Paul". www.wga.hu. Web Gallery of Art. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
2. "Description Of The Painting By Peter Rubens "Bathsheba At The Fountain"". Energine. Retrieved 14 October 2020.^{[ permanent dead link ]}