On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00022
- Author
- Bassano, Jacopo
- Title
- The Entry of the Animals into Noah’s Ark
- Chronology
- Ca. 1570
- Technique
- Oil
- Support
- Canvas
- Measures
- 207 cm x 265 cm
- School
- Italian
- Theme
- Religion
- On display
- Yes
- Procedence
- Royal Collection (Royal Palace of El Buen Retiro, Madrid, “pinturas recogidas de las Casas Arzobispales”, 1747, nº 634; New Royal Palace, Madrid, “antecámara de su Majestad”, 1772, nº 634; New Royal Palace, Madrid, “cuarto de la serenísima infanta-dormitorio”, 1794, nº 634; Royal Palace, Madrid, “pieza encarnada”, 1814-1818, nº 634)
With a beard and red tunic, Noah stands at the center of the composition. With the help of his family, he herds the animals into the arc.
This scene is inspired by the passage of Genesis (1: 7, 2-3) in which, following God's orders, Noah herds a pair of each type of animal into the arc he has built in order to save them from the Great Flood so that they can repopulate the Earth afterwards.
This painting is considered one of Jacopo Bassano's first treatments of Old Testament themes, which would later become the object of different versions painted by his workshop.
This work was bequeathed to Felipe IV (1605-1665) by prince Filiberto de Saboya.
