The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins 

Abraham Bosse crafted this work, “The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins,” capturing a pivotal biblical scene with figures holding lamps, symbols of readiness and vigilance. The lamp, central to this image, is no mere object but a potent symbol. It is a motif stretching back to antiquity – think of the Vestal Virgins, whose sacred fire represented the eternal flame of Rome. But here, in Bosse’s rendering, the lamp carries a Christian weight, illuminating the path to salvation. We see this contrast echoed in medieval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts. The burning lamp and the extinguished one convey the eternal dance between preparedness and neglect, hope and despair. The emotional power is palpable: the bright lamps evoke security and the gloom of the extinguished lamps evokes anxiety. This emblem—the lamp—continues its journey through time, appearing in countless forms, each iteration a reflection of its historical moment, always reminding us of the eternal human drama of vigilance and its absence.