The Bridegroom and the foolish Virgins
1730 - 1769. Oil on canvas.Not on display
With the luminous serenity typical of Venetian painting, Fontebasso depicts this parable from the Gospel of Saint Matthew (25: 1-13). The bridegroom, who resembles standard images of Christ, has already allowed the wise virgins to enter but closes the door on the foolish ones. Invited to the wedding, they forgot the oil for their lamps and were obliged to go out and buy some, thus arriving late. The parable refers to the vigilance required of us all, as depending on how death takes us we may save or condemn ourselves.
