The artwork entitled “Ruth Gleaning,” created by Alexandre Cabanel in 1886 in France, is an exemplary piece of Academicism, a prominent art movement. Executed with oil on canvas, this religious painting spans 115.7 x 87.6 cm and depicts a biblical scene with profound grace and nuance.
The artwork features Ruth, a central figure in the Biblical story, gleaning in the fields. She is depicted in a kneeling position, holding a bundle of wheat amidst a golden field. Her serene and contemplative expression draws the viewer’s attention, while her modest yet richly draped attire contrasts with the simplicity of her task. The background illustrates distant laborers engaged in similar activities, enhancing the narrative depth of the painting. The landscape behind, with its subtle hills and palm trees, provides a tranquil and expansive vista, harmoniously blending with the overall composition.
