Ruth slaapt aan Boaz voeteneinde 1557 - 1591

Philips Galle created this engraving titled "Ruth Sleeps at Boaz's Feet," a story drawn from the Old Testament. Galle was an influential printmaker in 16th-century Antwerp, a city then at the heart of the Northern Renaissance and deeply entangled in the religious and political conflicts of the time. Here, we see Ruth, a young Moabite widow, following the advice of her mother-in-law, Naomi, by approaching Boaz, a wealthy landowner, for protection and sustenance. The image captures the moment after Ruth has secretly laid down at Boaz's feet while he sleeps after the harvest. It’s a vulnerable scene freighted with the dynamics of gender, class, and survival. Ruth’s act is one of both desperation and agency. She is not only seeking to provide for herself and Naomi but also invoking her right to be included in the Israelite community, despite her foreign origins. This engraving invites reflection on the precariousness of women's lives in the 16th century and prompts us to consider the enduring challenges faced by those seeking refuge and belonging.