Rebecca at the well 

Francesco Hayez painted ‘Rebecca at the well’ with oils on canvas. Here, Hayez uses smooth brushwork to create a polished surface. Hayez was a master of realism. He captures the fall of light on flesh, the folds of drapery, and the rough texture of the well with precision. This pursuit of realism isn't just about technical skill. It's also about elevating painting to the level of other refined crafts, like sculpture, where the careful rendering of details was highly valued. By depicting Rebecca, a figure from the Bible known for her kindness and beauty, Hayez is drawing on a long tradition of religious art. Yet, he’s also bringing a fresh sensibility to the subject. The way he handles the paint, building up layers of color and texture, speaks to a new era of artistic experimentation. Ultimately, Hayez is showing us that painting is not just about representing the world, but about engaging with materials and processes in a thoughtful way.