female figure at L holding a large water pitcher, facing a male figure who is reaching for her opposite hand; camels and another man in background at L; wells by their feet; a town with a woman walking back from path at R

Design for Watch Case: Rebecca at the Well, c. 1610-1656

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The watch destined for this watchcase was probably unreliable: watches kept poor time until Dutch mathematician Christian Huygens invented the minute hand in 1675. In this scene, Abraham sends his servant Eleazer to find a wife for his son, Isaac. Appropriate for a timepiece, Eleazer comes to a well and waits, deciding that the woman who offers water to him and his camels will be Isaac’s bride (Genesis 24:10-20). The precision of Rebecca’s dress betrays Michel Le Blon’s training as a goldsmith.

Details
Title
Design for Watch Case: Rebecca at the Well
Artist Life
1587 - 1656
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2015.93.132
Provenance
[Kate Ganz, London; sold to Andrus]; John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
Catalogue Raisonne
Van der Kellen 154; Hollstein 154
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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female figure at L holding a large water pitcher, facing a male figure who is reaching for her opposite hand; camels and another man in background at L; wells by their feet; a town with a woman walking back from path at R