Photographed by Scott Wolff. Scanned from a slide. Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

Mary, Wife of Henry Thompson of Kirby Hall, as Rachel at the Well

Artist Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820)

Date1775

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions50 1/4 x 40 1/2 in. (127.6 x 102.9 cm)
Overall, Frame: 60 1/8 x 49 3/4 in. (152.7 x 126.4 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.720

Terms

Woman
Man
Religious
Rachel
Well
Jacob
Old Testament
Light blue
Green
White
Copper
Yellow
London, England

Collections

American Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionAn oil on canvas portrait painting of Mary Thompson as Rachel, from the Old Testament (Genesis 29:1-12), getting water at the well for her father's sheep. Jacob, her cousin, introduces himself and offers help. At the moment in the painting, Mary Thompson as Rachel turns to her right, facing Jacob, who stands behind her. A couple of figures, from the right of the canvas, look onto their conversation.

Label TextBenjamin West American, 1738–1820 Mary, Wife of Henry Thompson of Kirby Hall, as Rachel at the Well, 1775 Oil on canvas In this theatrical blend of portraiture and history painting, Benjamin West presents his sitter, English aristocrat Mary Thompson, within a biblical scene from the book of Genesis. Such portraits in costume bespeak both the sophistication of the client and the cosmopolitan training of the artist. Born in Pennsylvania, West studied in Italy and eventually settled in London, where his talent in figure painting helped him become President of the Royal Academy and the official court painter to King George III. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.720