Nicolaes Maes (1634-1693)

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath

Dutch, about 1670-80

Pen and brown wash

20.5 x 32.5 cm

The subject is from the ‘Kings’, XVII: 10.

This drawing shows the biblical story from Kings during which the Lord directs Elijah to the town gates of Zarephath where a widow has been directed to provide him with bread. A miraculous event occurs when the little flour oil the widow has left will not be exhausted until rain fails on the land. Now attributed to Maes, the drawing is one a stylistically coherent group of Rembrandt-esque ink drawings formerly ascribed to Jan Victors (1620-76).

Purchased in 1937 (No. 37.9)

WORKS ON PAPER

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