Lot 09

NOAH'S ARK

The depiction of the theme of Noah's Ark was one of the most popular in the Baroque period. The various painting traditions were written into the subject by architectural records and also in the clothing of the figures - especially Noah's wife. The division of the picture space was probably most influenced by the graphic works of Johann Sadeler I, who laid out an arched scene that progresses to the ark on the horizon. The painterly licence of the unknown master is particularly evident here in the reduction of human stagiage in favour of many animal species.