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When the statue 'Ruth' was placed in 1964, the Parelmoerhorst was only just completed. The new housing estate arose on the site of the former Bezuidenhout polder. The agrarian history formed the basis for 'Arenlezende vrouw' by Jorien de Kruijff van Dorssen. The figure of 'Ruth', taken from the Old Testament story in the book of Samuel, is the epitome of patience, love and diligence.

Together with the sculpture 'Mother and Child' by Frank Letterie, which was placed in the Parelmoerhorst at the same time, 'Ruth' is an ode to women and motherhood. That subject is obvious, because women, mothers and children were certainly the most important users of the neighbourhood at the time.

De Kruijff has made a number of loving female sculptures. The 'Baadster' (Bathing Woman) from 1963 has been placed at the edge of the pond in Presikhaaf Park in Arnhem. She holds her child on its belly above the water. Hence the later name: 'Learning to Swim'. In 1981 the artist was awarded the Charlotte van Pallandt Prize for her sculptural work, named after the famous sculptor who introduced this honour for young sculptural talent in 1978.

In the meantime, De Kruijff has gone public with abstract sculptures, such as 'Ironing board' from 1983. In that year, she exhibited drawings for the first time. They were line drawings composed of thin strokes in pen and ink. In the reviews of her earlier work, the artist was admired for her meditative approach and the quiet, attentive observation of her fellow men. This also applies to the pen drawings. They bear the meditative character of a woman reading an eagle.