The Ten Virgins

This painting by John Melhuish Strudwick is a gorgeous representation of the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew. Strudwick was a Neo-Pre-Raphaelite painter known for his rich, jewel-toned details and allegorical descriptive painting.  He came up in an era when the meaning of the work resided more in the convincing portrayal of a story than the aesthetic harmony of the composition. A painting was seen to be a type of visual literature, with the audience asking: “what does the picture represent”? In typical Strudwick fashion, it was neither signed, nor dated, but it was displayed in a gallery in 1884, when the painter was just 35. It draws from a rich Italian tradition and incorporates a beautiful botanical scene of vines and vegetation which are evocative of The Garden of Eden, and a new paradise with The Bridegroom.

'Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, "Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!" Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise answered, saying, "What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves." While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.'
St.Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 25

Available as a Giclee printed on heavyweight velvet vellum paper, or on a stretch canvas Measures 20" x 9"

These are custom printed. Please allow 2 weeks for shipping.