The Foolish Virgins Rejected 1630 - 1640

"The Foolish Virgins Rejected," an etching by Abraham Bosse, depicts a scene from the biblical parable of the wise and foolish virgins. Five women stand before a grand architectural structure, with two lamenting their lack of oil for their lamps while the other three, holding lamps filled with oil, are welcomed inside. Bosse's detailed and masterful use of light and shadow effectively contrasts the joy of the wise virgins with the sorrow of the foolish, highlighting the parable's moral of preparedness and vigilance. The etching, created between 1630 and 1640, exemplifies Bosse's mastery of the medium, showcasing his talent for depicting both human emotion and architectural grandeur. This work is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.