Yael

Yael – The Hands of a Woman
2008
Patinated plaster – framed
7 x 7 x 1.25 (unframed)
Signed with artist’s seal on lower edge

Plaster, resin, and bronze editions available
Framed plaster – $400 + shipping/handling
Self-hanging resin/bronze – prices on request
Please inquire about the discount available for a subscription to the series.

This midrashic (interpretive) portrait of the biblical heroine Yael (Yah-eyl’) was inspired by the late Andrew Wyeth’s portrait of a fisherman – as simply his boots.

Yael’s Story

The story of Yael is bound up with that of the judge, warrior, and prophet Deborah, as told in the book of Judges. The story concerns a crucial battle against the invading Canaanite army commanded by Sisera. When the Israelite general Barak insists that Deborah accompany him in leading the troops to battle, she agrees, but taunts him, “Then the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” (4:9)

After the rout of the battle, Sisera flees to the tent of Yael, a Kenite woman, asking for water and safe-hiding. Yael puts him under a rug and gives him milk to make him drowsy. While Sisera sleeps, she picks up a tent peg and a workman’s mallet, approaches him silently (and perhaps in the nude as a ploy), and kills him – thus fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy. The defeat of Sisera is a turning point in those turbulent times, “And the land was tranquil for forty years.” (5:31)