When I was a little girl the Twelve Dancing Princesses was a favorite fairytale. (See illustrations by Kay Nielsen.) They would sneak away from the palace by a secret stairway to go dancing all night and return in great need of new shoes every morning. What a thrill. Made their father and the cobbler crazy.
This is not a painting of the princesses. And maybe they are not sneaking, but these five are determined to meet the Bridegroom from Matthew 25, so they each carry a flask of oil for their lamps. When He comes, their path to the wedding feast will be lit. There will be dancing, and the Bridegroom will be there - what a thrill.