Naomi Counseling Ruth Near the Farm of Boaz n.d.

This is Annibale Carracci’s delicate pen and brown ink drawing, "Naomi Counseling Ruth Near the Farm of Boaz" now at the Art Institute of Chicago. The sepia tones lend a warm, pastoral feel to the biblical scene, with the landscape sketched in fluid lines. Carracci masterfully uses line to define form and space, creating a sense of depth with varied stroke weights. The grouping of figures is central. Naomi’s protective gesture and Ruth’s submissive pose are carefully balanced. This arrangement anchors the narrative and emphasizes the emotional core of the scene. The drawing’s openness invites viewers to engage with the characters’ story. Carracci doesn’t fix the meaning of the drawing, but offers a rich tableau of human connection and rural life that continues to resonate across time.