Ritual Washing of the Israelites

1606

Abraham Bloemaert

Associated Names
Abraham Bloemaert

Artist, Dutch, 1566 - 1651

This is a drawing of a group of figures performing various activities related to washing, drying, or showcasing fabric. The scene features multiple figures spread across the foreground and background. The figures are drawn in a sketch-like style, capturing motion and interaction with their environment. They are engaged in daily life or labor activities, possibly in an outdoor or communal setting. The use of line in the drawing emphasizes the curves and fluidity of the human form and fabric. The atmosphere is lively, possibly from a mythological or historical context.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    black chalk and pale blue-green wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 38.1 x 52.6 cm (15 x 20 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1978.52.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Bolten no. 43

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Beudeker by 1751; (his sale, Cloppenburg and de Leth, Amsterdam, 27 July 1751, kbk. I, no. 29, as "een Historie van Abr. Blommaart 1616 getekent"). Antonie Rutgers Anthonieszoon, by 1778; (his sale,van der Schley, Ploos van Amstel, De Winter, Yver, Amsterdam, 1 December 1778, kbk. K, no. 580). Kange Dowland, 1862. David Daniels, by 1968; (his sale, Sotheby's, London, 25 April 1978, no. 46). Acquired 1978 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1968

  • Bennett, Mary Lee and Agnes Mongan. Selections from the drawing collection of David Daniels. Cambridge, 1968: 5.

2007

  • Bolten, Jaap.Abraham Bloemaert c. 1565-1651: The Drawings.Leiden, 2007.

Inscriptions

lower center in brown ink: A. Bloemaert fe/1616

Wikidata ID

Q64533201

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