3-083-746 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Ruth, 1872. In the Bible the Book of Ruth relates how Ruth, recently widowed, went to visit her mother-in-law, Naomi. She was allowed to glean corn in the fields of Naomi's kinsmen, one of whom she later married. In this sculpture, Ruth is identified by the fact that she is holding some wheat. She is dressed in classicized biblical dress and wears sandals. In spite of her classical dress and biblical source, however, she could also be seen to represent a Victorian vision of the 'fortunate' poor.