Rebecca and Eliezer

Rebecca and Eliezer is a 1660 oil painting by the Spanish Baroque master Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682), depicting the biblical moment when Abraham's servant Eliezer meets Rebecca at the well—a scene traditionally read as an emblem of divine providence and virtuous hospitality ^[3][1]. The canvas, measuring 108 × 151.5 cm, is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it forms part of the museum's significant holdings of Murillo's religious works ^[3][4][5].

Biblical subject: the meeting at the well

The painting illustrates the Genesis narrative (24:15–20) in which Eliezer, sent by Abraham to find a wife for Isaac, prays for a sign: that the woman who offers him water and waters his camels will be the chosen bride. Murillo captures the moment of encounter, presenting Rebecca as the embodiment of grace and willingness, and Eliezer as the faithful servant whose mission is fulfilled ^[1]. The subject was a recurring one in Spanish Baroque painting, valued for its demonstration of piety and divine guidance—themes central to the Counter-Reformation spirituality that shaped Murillo's religious output ^[1].

Technique: oil on canvas and Murillo's painterly style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work reflects Murillo's mature technique of the 1660s, characterized by soft, fluid brushwork and a warm palette of earthy tones and golden highlights ^[1][3]. The artist's handling of light—often described as vaporoso (vaporous)—imparts a gentle, atmospheric quality to the scene, distinguishing his religious narratives from the harder tenebrism of earlier Spanish painters ^[1]. Murillo's ability to render textures and flesh with a delicate, almost hazy finish contributed to his reputation as one of the most accessible and emotionally resonant painters of the Spanish Baroque ^[1].

Iconography: water, vessels, and divine encounter

The iconography centres on the water jar and the well, both of which carry symbolic weight in the biblical narrative: the water offered by Rebecca signifies purity and life, while the well itself is the site of providential encounter ^[1]. Murillo's composition directs attention to the exchange between the two figures—Eliezer in his travelling attire, Rebecca with her vessel—emphasizing the moment of recognition and mutual respect ^[1]. The artist's religious works, including this one, were produced for a devout audience and reflect the didactic function of art in 17th-century Seville, where Murillo was the leading painter of his generation ^[1].

Provenance and collection history

The painting's documented history begins with its creation in 1660, and it is recorded in the collections of the Museo del Prado, which holds the primary institutional record for the work ^[3][4][5]. The Prado's catalogue entry provides the authoritative dimensions and dating, confirming the canvas as a product of Murillo's middle period, when he was at the height of his fame in Seville ^[4][5].

Date	Event
1660	Painting executed by Murillo [3]
—	Acquired into the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid [4][5]

Murillo's legacy and the Spanish Baroque

Murillo's religious paintings, including Rebecca and Eliezer, were instrumental in shaping the international reputation of Spanish Baroque art ^[1]. Although he is best known for his devotional subjects, Murillo also produced a considerable number of paintings of contemporary women and children—flower girls, street urchins, and beggars—that constitute an extensive record of everyday life in his time ^[1]. His influence extended well beyond Spain, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, when collectors and artists across Europe prized his sentimental and accessible style ^[1]. The Prado's holdings of Murillo's work provide a comprehensive view of his artistic development, with Rebecca and Eliezer standing as a representative example of his religious narrative painting ^[4][5].

Frequently asked questions

When was Rebecca and Eliezer painted?

The painting is dated to 1660, a period when Murillo was at the height of his career in Seville ^[3].

Where is the painting located today?

Rebecca and Eliezer is in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain ^[3][4][5].

What are the dimensions of the work?

The canvas measures 108 × 151.5 cm ^[3].