(Italian, circa 1510-1592)

Christ in the House of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, a reverse with some variations of the work painted in 1577, and held by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, unsigned, possibly 18th century or earlier, oil on canvas, 34-1/8 x 58-3/4 in; parcel painted and gilt wood frame, 38-3/4 x 63 x 1-3/4 in.

Provenance: Private Collection, Bristol, Tennessee

Note: The Biblical passage from Luke 10:38-42 is the subject of the painting and reads, "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."