Draft:The Mother of Sisera Looked out a Window
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The Mother of Sisera Looked out a Window is an oil painting on canvas by British artist Albert Joseph Moore, created in 1861 in the United Kingdom. The work belongs to the Academic art movement and is currently housed in the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle, England.
The painting depicts the figure of Sisera's mother in a moment of anticipation and anxiety as she awaits her son's return from battle, as described in the Song of Deborah in the Book of Judges. It reflects the dramatic contrast between the mother's hope and her son's tragic fate—Sisera was killed by Jael—thereby enhancing the emotional and narrative tension present in the biblical poetry.
Description
[edit]The painting portrays an elegant female figure gazing out of a window with a contemplative expression, waiting for her son, whose chariot is "delayed in coming." She leans against the window frame, with her fingers gently resting upon it. Great attention is given to the architectural details of the window, including delicate lace-like carvings, as well as to the realistic depiction of her attire and jewelry. The artwork encapsulates the tension of waiting and restrained emotion, freezing a poignant moment in time in accordance with the storytelling tradition of the Academic style.
Biblical Context
[edit]The painting illustrates the verses: "Through the window she looked forth and wailed, the mother of Sisera, through the lattice: 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why are the wheels of his chariots delayed?'" (Judges 5:28).
Sisera was the commander of King Jabin of Canaan's army, who had oppressed the Israelites but was ultimately defeated in battle by Barak son of Abinoam. After his defeat, he sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed him in his sleep. The painting captures the moment of his mother's concern and anticipation, unaware of her son's tragic fate.
The Model and Interpretation
[edit]The figure of Sisera's mother in the painting is believed to be based on Fanny Eaton, a Jamaican-born model who served as inspiration for many artists associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Moore does not dwell on whether Sisera's death was an act of betrayal or heroism. Instead, he focuses on the emotions of the mother as her son's absence prolongs.
In the Song of Deborah, which celebrates Israel's deliverance from Sisera, the mother is imagined looking out of a window—a moment that underscores the Israelites' sense of salvation. However, Moore seems to interpret this scene differently, emphasizing the mother's sorrow above all else. Fanny Eaton, with her dark and striking features, was an ideal model for this work, as she was for other members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in their biblical-themed paintings. A notable example is The Mother of Moses by Simeon Solomon.