Veiled Rebecca Gallery

The word marble is derived from the Greek word marmaros, meaning “shining stone” or “crystalline rock”. (The current definition, “stone or boulder”, is inaccurate.) Statuary marble is prized for its fine grain and its ability to transmit light beneath the surface, giving sculptures a lifelike softness and making it one of the most valued varieties of marble. The Salar Jung Museum houses a substantial collection of marble sculptures. While many are nineteenth-century reproductions inspired by Greek and Roman classical subjects, the collection also includes important original works by renowned European sculptors.

Among the Museum’s greatest treasures is the original marble sculpture Veiled Rebecca, created in 1863 by the Italian sculptor Giovanni Maria Benzoni of Milan. The sculpture is regarded as one of the finest examples of 19th century Neoclassical sculpture, showcasing exceptional technical mastery and artistic refinement. It depicts the biblical figure Rebecca, gracefully standing beneath a delicately carved translucent veil that appears to cling naturally to her face and form. (Avoid “alluring”, which may be interpreted as objectifying.) Remarkably, both the figure and the seemingly transparent veil have been carved from a single block of marble. The delicate folds of the drapery, the subtle modelling of the figure, and the illusion of a soft, transparent veil demonstrate Benzoni’s extraordinary technical skill and meticulous craftsmanship. The sculpture was acquired by Salar Jung I during his visit to Rome in 1876. Today, the Veiled Rebecca is one of the Museum’s most celebrated masterpieces, attracting visitors from across India and around the world.