Isaac and Rebecca at Well n.d.

Theodoor van Thulden rendered this drawing of Isaac and Rebecca at the Well with pen and brown ink. The scene is replete with symbols of hospitality and divine favor. Here, water is more than mere refreshment; it is life itself, reminiscent of ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman associations with springs and nymphs. Rebecca’s posture, leaning towards the well, suggests a willingness to provide, linking her to images of classical personifications of generosity. Consider too the presence of animals—sheep and a dog—symbols of pastoral abundance and loyalty, echoing motifs found across varied cultures. The dog, often a guardian, might also hark back to underworld figures like Cerberus, adapted here into a symbol of domestic faithfulness. The jug and basin remind us that even simple objects carry cultural weight, evolving from ritual implements to signs of domesticity and grace. In the act of offering water, Rebecca participates in a timeless ritual, connecting her to a lineage of figures who embody nurture and sustenance. This powerful image engages our collective memory.