Rebecca at the Well 1854 - 1866

Editor: Chauncey Bradley Ives sculpted this marble figure, titled "Rebecca at the Well," sometime between 1854 and 1866. I'm struck by the serene and almost melancholic mood. The subject’s gaze is averted, like she’s lost in thought. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its biblical subject matter? Curator: Well, it's crucial to situate this work within its 19th-century context. The Romantic movement embraced both classical ideals and religious subjects. "Rebecca at the Well" depicts a scene from Genesis, where Rebecca offers water to Abraham's servant and his camels, showcasing her kindness. But why represent this particular scene, and why in marble sculpture for the American market? What socio-political messages could this artwork be encoding? Editor: Hmm, good point. I suppose it’s more than just a depiction of a biblical story. The artist had to choose to create it out of other options, and then collectors wanted to own and display it. Curator: Precisely. These sculptures, especially of virtuous women, often functioned as moral exemplars in domestic spaces. Owning such a piece signaled the owner’s and their family’s embrace of those values. How do you think this piece interacted with the emerging American identity? Did it look towards Europe and older examples, or create a new space entirely? Editor: That’s a very interesting angle. I hadn't thought about how owning a sculpture like this would be aspirational, indicating a certain level of social and financial standing and also connecting to the tradition of female virtue and kindness. Curator: Exactly! The politics of imagery were very present at that time. Considering its setting, this sculpture reflects broader trends, the market, and the ongoing dialogue on ethics that makes it fascinating. It tells us as much about the cultural values of the time as it does the artistic talent. Editor: I learned a lot about this sculpture. Thank you for putting it in historical context!