The Wise and Foolish Virgins by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

The Wise and Foolish Virgins 

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mixed-media, tempera, painting

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mixed-media

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medieval

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narrative-art

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tempera

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painting

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figuration

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oil painting

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history-painting

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pre-raphaelites

Copyright: Public domain

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale made this painting, The Wise and Foolish Virgins, using watercolor on paper. It’s a traditional fine art material, of course, but the way she handles it is really interesting. Fortescue-Brickdale was working at a time when there was a big debate about what painting should be. Should it be about capturing fleeting impressions, like the Impressionists were doing? Or should it be about something more solid and lasting? Fortescue-Brickdale clearly comes down on the side of lasting. Look at how carefully she builds up the layers of watercolor, creating a sense of depth and detail. It’s almost like she’s building a little world, brick by brick. And that’s what gives the painting its power. It’s not just a pretty picture, it’s a statement about the value of hard work, patience, and enduring skill. She invites us to appreciate the value of craft, the beauty of detail, and the satisfaction of a job well done. In doing so, she elevates watercolor to a medium capable of expressing serious artistic intention, just like oil painting or sculpture.

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