The birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel. Oil painting after Francesco Furini.
- Furini, Francesco, 1603-1646.
- Reference:
- 44819i
- Pictures
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Description
The mother giving birth is traditionally identified as Rachel, wife of Jacob (Israel). She bore two sons, Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis ch. 35 v. 24). She died in giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis ch. 35 v. 19). Some sources assume that the present painting shows the birth of Joseph, but the distressed attitudes of Joseph and Rachel seem to be more compatible with the birth of Benjamin. The Schleissheim version, when in the possession of Bassermann-Jordan, was called "The death of Rachel" (L. von Buerkel, loc. cit.)
Physical description
1 painting : oil on canvas ; canvas 99.5 x 125.5 cm
Contributors
References note
L. von Buerkel, 'Francesco Furini', Jahrbuch des kunsthistorischen Sammlungen des allerhöchsten Kaiserhauses, 1908, 27: 55-90 (pp. 76-77, fig. 22)
G. Cantelli, Repertorio della pittura fiorentina del seicento, Florence 1983, p. 89 (this version not mentioned)
Reference
Wellcome Collection 44819i
Creator/production credits
A cabinet-size version of the gallery picture by Francesco Furini which itself exists in several versions
Type/Technique
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed storesNote