Tátrai Vilmos szerk.: A Szépművészeti Múzeum közleményei 95. (Budapest, 2001)

DOBOS, ZSUZSANNA: Two hitherto unknown paintings by Flaminio Torri

77. Flaminio Torri: The Adoration of the Magi. Bologna, Museo del convento di San Giuseppe The story of Rebekah and Eliezer is related in the Book of Genesis (chapter 24). When the time came for Isaac to get married, the ageing Abraham sent his old servant, Eliezer, to find his son the proper wife among his own kindred in Mesopotamia. The choice fell on Rebekah who stood the test of mercy and good-heartedness by giving water to both the old servant and his ten camels having a rest at a well outside the city of Nahor. The verses of the Bible, "And Rebekah said, Drink my lord, and she hasted and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him a drink" are depicted in a close-knit, half-length composition distributed between two planes of depth. The foreground is dominated by the two rustic figures of the protagonists painted with deep psychological sensitivity and sincere naturalism. The young Rebekah wearing a turban offers the drink to the parched man with such vehemence and zeal that even her locks tied with a blue ribbon get loosened. The fatigue of the old, exposed Eliezer is overcome by his life-instinct: he eagerly draws the huge jug to his mouth with his root-like, veiny hands.