Italian, late 19th century

This charming full-length figure of Ruth carrying an ample bundle of corn is part of a tradition of 19^th century marble sculptors representing this well-known Old Testament subject. This was a truly international phenomenon with leading Italian sculptors such as Giovanni Battista Benzoni, Pasquale Romanelli and Giovanni Battista Lombardi, joined by British sculptors Joseph Gott and William Brodie, the German Heinrich Maximilian Imhoff and American Randolf Rogers, all producing acclaimed models of Ruth gleaning. Although unattributable at the present time, the present figure follows the standard iconography showing the beautiful Ruth in traditional costume with her harvest in hand as she would have appeared to Boaz.