Lisaert, Pieter – Las vírgenes necias y las vírgenes prudentes Part 5 Prado Museum

The composition presents a complex narrative scene unfolding within a meticulously rendered landscape. A group of women dominates the foreground, arranged in distinct clusters that visually separate them into two categories. On the left, several figures are actively engaged in what appears to be preparation – one woman pours liquid from a vessel, another tends to a lamp, and a third sits on a bench, seemingly overseeing the activity. Their attire is modest, their expressions focused, suggesting diligence and foresight.
To the right of this group, a different dynamic prevails. Here we see women in more elaborate garments, scattered amidst discarded objects – lamps, coins, and what appear to be personal belongings. Some seem preoccupied with each other, while others display an air of anxiety or disorientation. The central figure, positioned slightly forward, gestures towards the sky with a look of urgency.
The landscape itself is layered and symbolic. A classical building, likely representing a church or sanctuary, rises in the middle ground, its architecture suggesting stability and spiritual refuge. An angel hovers above it, seemingly observing the events below. Further back, a fortified structure hints at worldly security and perhaps, by contrast, the fragility of such protection.
Above the scene, a group of figures is depicted in a celestial realm. They appear to be angels or divine beings, their forms bathed in light, suggesting a judgment or reward being dispensed from above. The composition’s use of light and shadow reinforces this division – the left side is illuminated by a warm, natural glow, while the right experiences a more diffused and uncertain lighting.
The subtext of the work revolves around themes of preparedness, wisdom, and consequence. The women on the left embody prudence and responsibility, actively preparing for an unknown event. Their actions suggest a belief in foresight and the importance of being ready for adversity. Conversely, the women on the right represent folly and shortsightedness; their preoccupation with immediate comforts has left them vulnerable when faced with a challenge.
The discarded objects scattered around these latter figures serve as potent symbols of wasted resources and missed opportunities. The celestial realm above acts as a moral compass, implying that actions have repercussions beyond the earthly sphere. Ultimately, the painting seems to offer a cautionary tale about the importance of spiritual readiness and the dangers of neglecting ones responsibilities in pursuit of fleeting pleasures.