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| Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini Susanna and the Elders ca. 1695 oil on canvas National Trust, Hinton Ampner, Hampshire |
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| Jan Pynas Adoration of the Golden Calf ca. 1610-20 oil on canvas Ulster Museum, Belfast |
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| Nicolas Régnier St Sebastian tended by St Irene ca. 1650-60 oil on canvas Ferens Art Gallery, Kingston-upon-Hull |
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| Anonymous Copyist after Massimo Stanzione Beheading of John the Baptist 17th century oil on canvas Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham |
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| Jan van Bijlert Pilate washing his Hands before 1671 oil on panel National Museum Cardiff, Wales |
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| Cornelis de Vos The Raising of Lazarus before 1651 oil on canvas Ulster Museum, Belfast |
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| Charles Wautier The Calling of Matthew ca. 1660 oil on canvas National Trust, Osterley Park, London |
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| Anonymous British Artist after Peter Paul Rubens Departure of Lot and his Family from Sodom ca. 1674-75 oil on canvas National Trust, Tredegar House, Monmouthshire, Wales |
Lot's Wife
'In that rich, oil-bearing region, it is probable that Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of asphalt – not salt.'
– Sir William Whitebait, member of the Institute of Mining Engineers
I long for the desolate valleys,
Where the rivers of asphalt flow,
For here in the streets of the living,
Where my footsteps run to and fro,
Though my smile be never so friendly,
I offend wherever I go.
Yes, here in the land of the living,
Though a marriage be fairly sprung,
And the heart be loving and giving,
In the end it is sure to go wrong.
Then take me to the valley of asphalt,
And turn me to a river of stone,
That no tree may shift to my sighing,
Or breezes convey my moan.
– Stevie Smith (ca. 1945)
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| Jan Boeckhorst Esther before Ahasuerus before 1668 oil on canvas Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge |
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| Francisco Camilo St John of God crowned with Thorns by the Blessed Virgin and St John the Evangelist 1653 oil on canvas Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham |
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| Henry Gibbs after Peter Paul Rubens The Judgment of Solomon 1689 oil on canvas Canterbury Museums and Galleries, Kent |
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| Luca Giordano Dives and Lazarus ca. 1680 oil on canvas Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, West Midlands |
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| Anonymous Italian Artist Martyrdom of St Agnes ca. 1650-1700 oil on panel Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham |
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| Lambert Jacobsz Abigail and Nabal ca. 1625-37 oil on panel Courtauld Gallery, London |
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| Giovanni Battista Langetti The Good Samaritan ca. 1660-75 oil on canvas Holburne Museum, Bath |