CIRCA 1870

The Biblical Book of Ruth relates how the eponymous young Moabite, great-grandmother of David, was married to a Hebrew immigrant. After his premature death, she left her native land and went with her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem. There she was allowed to harvest crops in fields belonging to Boaz, a rich kinsman of Naomi. Maintaining a modest demeanour among the young men working at the harvest, Ruth went one night and lay at the feet of Boaz as he slept. By this act Boaz saw her virtue and the two were married. As with the current example, Ruth is often depicted with sheaves, symbol of the Summer harvest.