The Wise Virgins at Prayer

Abraham Bosse

National Gallery of Art

The image shows five women indoors, depicted from their upper bodies upwards. Two women on the left are conversing; one gestures while sitting to the left of another holding a book. On the right, three women are shown, engaged in reading or discussion, with books in hand or laps. They all have centrally parted, swept back hair, wear dresses with wide collars and long sleeves, typical of an earlier period. Two large framed paintings are on the walls, depicting allegorical or religious scenes. A table in the center has an open book on a stand, flanked by candles and a cross. The room has high ceilings and large windows showing a building and landscape view.