L. Laureati, I Dipinti, in Pier Francesco Mola 1612 – 1666, catalogue of the exhibition, Milan 1989, pp. 148, 152;

F. Petrucci - L. Piu, Indice dell’opera pittorica del Mola, in Mola e il suo tempo, catalogue of the exhibition, Milan 2005, p. 243, n. 57;

E. Villata, Pier Francesco Mola, in Svizzeri a Roma nella storia, nella cultura, nell’economia dal Cinquecento ad oggi, in “Arte e Storia” 2007, p. 218;

F. Petrucci, Pier Francesco Mola (1612 – 1666). Materia e colore nella pittura del ‘600, Rome 2012, p. 298, B34.

This work depicts a Biblical event described in the book of Genesis: Rachel, who had been sent by her father Laban to graze their flock, was helped in the task by her future husband Jacob, who moved a heavy stone for her which was covering the mouth of a well. The scene is framed by a wide classical landscape reminiscent of those of Carracci, with a high mountain in the far distance.

Laura Laureati has tentitavely ascribed this work to the early career of the young Mola, just after his stay in Bologna under the tutelage of Francesco Albani whilst the latter’s influence was strong, this can especially be seen in the composition with the small figures placed in the landscape. The presence of Guercino style tonalities has however led Petrucci to date the work as later, to the second half of the 1640s.

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