The Wise Virgins Refuse Oil to the Foolish Virgins 1630 - 1640

Abraham Bosse made this engraving, The Wise Virgins Refuse Oil to the Foolish Virgins, in France in the 17th century. The image illustrates a parable from the Gospel of Matthew, but it also speaks to the social and religious climate of its time. Bosse was a Huguenot, a French Protestant, in a predominantly Catholic country. The parable, with its themes of preparedness and judgement, resonated with Protestant values of personal responsibility and piety. Bosse's detailed rendering of the women's clothing and the architectural setting also reflects the social status and cultural milieu of his patrons, who were primarily members of the bourgeoisie. The print’s visual codes, like the contrast between light and darkness, emphasize the moral divide between the wise and foolish virgins. By studying Bosse’s engravings alongside historical documents, religious tracts, and social histories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in 17th-century France.