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The mother giving birth is traditionally identified as Rachel, wife of Jacob (Israel). She bore two sons, Joseph and Benjamin (Genesis ch.35 v.24). She died in giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis ch.35 v.19). Some sources assume that the present painting shows the birth of Joseph, but the distressed attitudes of Joseph and Rachel seem to be more compatible with the birth of Benjamin. The Schleissheim version, when in the possession of Bassermann-Jordan, was called 'The Death of Rachel'. The cabinet-size version of the gallery picture by Francesco Furini itself exists in several versions. Other larger versions painted for galleries exist. They include: Schleissheim, Bayerische Staatsgalerie; art market, Milan, 1976; Christie's, London, 10 December 2003, lot 84 and 28 April 2006, lot 28; Sotheby's, London, 8 December 2005.
Title
The Birth of Benjamin and the Death of Rachel
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 99.5 x W 125.5 cm
Accession number
44819i
Acquisition method
purchased by Henry S. Wellcome, c.1900–1936
Work type
Painting