William Holman Hunt

Eliezer and Rebekah at the Well, engraved by the Dalziel Brothers

1863

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In Tate Britain

Prints and Drawings Room

View by appointment
Artist
William Holman Hunt 1827–1910
Medium
Wood engraving on paper
Dimensions
Image: 178 × 137 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by Gilbert Dalziel 1924
Reference
N04018

Display caption

Hunt devoted his life to biblical art, yet this is the only work he produced for the Bible Gallery. The story of Eliezer and Rebekah is told in Genesis. Eliezer is sent by Abraham to find and bring back to Canaan a bride for Abraham’s son Isaac.

Hunt illustrates the moment when Eliezer, who is resting from his travels, meets Rebekah. She offers him water and he at once realises that she is the woman ordained to be Isaac’s wife. Hunt makes this evident from her beauty and the unbroken water jar, a symbol of her virginity.

Gallery label, November 2004

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