Deborah (1914 körül)

The preliminary study for Deborah (Girls on the Hill) was reproduced in the journal Múlt és Jövő in 1914. It is not known exactly whether this or the finished version shown here was exhibited in 1914 in the group exhibition at Művészház. According to a contemporary article, Gedő showed several unfinished works at the time. In 1916, however, Gedő exhibited this Deborah in Prague. 

Deborah is one of the prophetesses and judges in the Old Testament, the fourth in number. She was the wife of Lappidoth, and sat in judgment on Mount Ephraim; she exhorted King Barak to join the forces of the people against the Canaanite Sisera, who had long oppressed Israel. Because the king hesitated and asked Deborah to go with him, the prophetess predicted that he would win, but because he had asked for the help of a woman, the Lord would take away part of the joy of victory, because the enemy leader would be defeated not by his hand but by a woman's. This was fulfilled through Jael. The victory of Deborah and Barak brought peace to Israel for forty years.