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Lot and his Daughters
painting

Guerrieri, Giovanni Francesco (attributed to)
Europe, Italy
1600-1650

1882.45

oil paint
136.3 x 99.3 cm

Lot and his Daughters, early 1600s
Attributed to Giovanni Francesco Guerrieri 1589 - 1655/59
Oil on canvas

The story of Lot and his daughters is told in the Bible.
After they escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,
Lot's daughters thought they were the only survivors.

In order to perpetuate the human race
they decided to ply their father with wine
and seduce him while he was drunk.

The tender touch on Lot's shoulder
is at once that of a daughter and a lover.
Lot is already the guilty victim of circumstance.

This painting questions morality and duty,
pleasure and sin,
topics which were hotly debated in the 17th century.

Transferred from the Royal Manchester Institution 1882.45