The Bible in Pictures

A wide field of ripe grain under a heavy summer sky. In the foreground a young woman kneels before the owner of the field; around them the reapers go on cutting, and at the edge horses tread out the grain.

The picture belongs to the Four Seasons that Poussin painted in Rome between 1660 and 1664 for the Duc de Richelieu, his last completed works. Each season is a scene from the Old Testament: spring is Adam and Eve, summer Ruth and Boaz, autumn the spies with the great grape, winter the Flood.

Ruth has gone down on her knees: “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Boaz answers with an open hand.

Ruth has gone down on her knees: “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Boaz answers with an open hand.

At the edge of the field a team of horses threshes the grain, as on an ancient relief.

At the edge of the field a team of horses threshes the grain, as on an ancient relief.