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• 1 2015-11-12T22:11:18-08:00 The Book of Ruth "Ruth's Loyalty" 30 A Painting by Pieter Lastman depicting Ruth refusing to leave Naomi image_header 2016-01-20T14:23:49-08:00 The painting "Ruth's Loyalty" was done by Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam in the 17th century. The work was completed in 1614 during a very prosperous time that started in 1600 and would continue until 1655. Pieter was greatly influenced by the German painter Adam Elsheimer. During this time period, Amsterdam was a place of refuge for those persecuted for their faith. While European countries fought to expand themselves, Amsterdam enjoyed peace. Lastman studied in Italy for five years during which he learned of Elsheimer. After his return to Amsterdam his painting style changed, as The J. Paul Getty Museum puts it, "to use strong contrasts of light and shade that intensified the drama of the scene and to specialize in narrative subjects from the Bible, mythology, and Roman history. His reform of history painting in Amsterdam in the 1600s--presenting well-characterized figures at the dramatic climax of a story". This is evident in "Ruth's Loyalty" as the painting itself is very light, as if painted while the sun was rising in the sky. The blue in Ruth's dress emphasizes the pink giving her a young and feminine look. Naomi's cloths are dark, such as the green, and her face is hidden. There is a significance to  her hidden face, while Ruth's face is exposed and open showing her innocence and beauty, Naomi's face is covered to emphasize her age and the loss she has sustained throughout her life. Lastman contrast the two women greatly in other ways as well. For example, Ruth is not wearing shoes while Naomi is even though she is riding a donkey while Ruth walks. If Lastman did indeed write this part of Ruth as the "dramatic climax" before things become resolved it would make sense to show the two women as complete opposites. It adds more power to Naomi's argument that Ruth should return home, that they cannot live together as such opposites. This making Ruth's choice to stay all the more remarkable, because even though they were so different Ruth refused to leave Naomi. In the background of the piece you can see another figure on the opposite side of the bridge. This could be Orpa, returning to her home in Moab. It could be speculated that Lastman views Orpa as someone who is running away from responsibility, which is why she is so small in the picture. While viewing Ruth as someone with nothing, not even shoes, who wishes to follow Naomi and refuses to leave her even though Naomi is pushing Ruth away. You can see in Lastman's piece "Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael" how Lastman uses similar formatting for his biblical paintings. Hagar and Ishmael have no shoes while Abraham's feet appear to be wrapped in cloth. The blue of Ishmael's tunic appears to be the same shade as Ruth's dress. The lighting makes the scene look as if the sun is raising in the sky and a very familiar looking bridge style lies in the background. Lastman's depiction of Ruth shows a woman who will not be detoured even by her elder. Looking up into Naomi's face to plead with her even as Naomi pushes her away. An unusual depiction for a time when women were not held in high esteem, but one that Lastman does not fail to impress.