The Wise Virgins (Les vierges sages)

James Tissot · 1886–1894
Brooklyn Museum, New York

Five young women sit asleep side by side on a stone bench against a wall hung with garlands, wrapped in white veils with red borders. Their heads have dropped onto their shoulders and onto each other.

At their feet the small clay lamps still burn on the floor, each with a little white flame, among scattered petals. Tissot made this the first of a pair: the wise virgins, waiting.

From the text

Ten virgins take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1)

“the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps” (Matthew 25:4)

“they all became drowsy and fell asleep” (Matthew 25:5)

The artist’s own

Garlands over the bench and petals on the floor, as for a wedding

Little clay oil lamps of the region

Details

Asleep

The young women lean against each other, asleep.

Lamps

Small clay lamps burn on the floor.

Garlands

Hanging garlands decorate the wall.

Her head bowed

One sleeps with her face against her hand.

James Tissot, French, 1836–1902. Brooklyn Museum, New York (Purchased by public subscription, 00.159.179) · Opaque watercolor over graphite on gray wove paper · Brooklyn Museum (Commons file page, «Permission»): "This image was uploaded by the Brooklyn Museum as a content partnership, and is considered to have no known copyright restrictions by the institutions of the Brooklyn Museum." — "No known copyright restrictions".