Rebekka neemt afscheid van haar ouders c. 1480 - 1500

This stained glass roundel, made by an anonymous artist, captures a scene of Rebekka's departure from her parents. In the Germanic lands of the late Middle Ages, where this roundel was likely crafted, stained glass was more than mere decoration. It was a narrative tool, particularly in domestic settings. The choice of depicting Rebekka's farewell suggests the importance of familial duty and departure, themes resonant in a society where arranged marriages and long journeys were commonplace. The roundel's composition, with its blend of religious narrative and contemporary attire, reveals the cultural fusion of the era. To truly understand this piece, one must consider not only its artistic qualities but also the social and religious institutions that shaped its creation. Researching family structures, trade routes, and religious practices of the time can illuminate the meanings embedded within this seemingly simple scene. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.