The Levite at Gibeah
Gerbrand van den Eeckhout·early 1640s
Historical Context
Gerbrand van den Eeckhout's Levite at Gibeah from the early 1640s depicts the rarely painted Old Testament story from the Book of Judges about a Levite and his concubine who find shelter in the city of Gibeah. Eeckhout, one of Rembrandt's most faithful pupils, excelled at biblical narratives that demanded both dramatic lighting and complex multi-figure compositions. His early works closely follow Rembrandt's example in combining intimate human drama with theatrical illumination.
Technical Analysis
Eeckhout's oil-on-canvas technique demonstrates strong Rembrandtesque influence with warm chiaroscuro and concentrated pools of light illuminating the key narrative moment. The rich tonality and careful figure painting show his thorough absorption of his master's approach to biblical subjects.
Provenance
Art market, New York, 1960s;[1] purchased by Emile E. Wolf [1899-1996], New York; gift (partial and promised) 1996 to NGA; gift completed 2000. [1] In a letter to Arthur Wheelock (15 January 1987, in NGA curatorial files), Emile E. Wolf writes that “Park Bernet sold it as anonynme [_sic_],” which might indicate he purchased the painting at an auction. Many Parke-Bernet sale catalogues for the 1960s have been checked, but as yet an auction that included the painting has not been identified.
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