Artwork
Noah's Family Assembling Animals before the Ark
Noah's Family Assembling Animals before the Ark is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan van Kessel the Elder. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
The painting is titled "Noah's Family Assembling Animals before the Ark" by Jan van Kessel the Elder. It was created in 1660 using oil paint. The artist's work is held at the Walters Art Museum, which suggests it's a piece of interest to collectors and art fans, and to learn more about similar art, check out the subject: embarkation of Noah's Ark.
Overview
Jan van Kessel the Elder, a mid‑17th‑century Flemish painter active in Antwerp, completed the oil painting Noah’s Family Assembling Animals before the Ark in 1660. The work belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition and is presently part of the Walters Art Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas illustrates the biblical episode in which Noah, accompanied by his family, gathers pairs of animals in preparation for their embarkation on the Ark. The scene emphasizes orderly collection and stewardship, reflecting contemporary theological interpretations of obedience and divine covenant.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays the meticulous detail and vibrant palette characteristic of Flemish Baroque art. Van Kessel employs a balanced composition, with figures and fauna rendered in a naturalistic manner that highlights texture, from the sheen of animal fur to the folds of clothing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1660, the work remained in private hands before entering the Walters Art Museum, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s European paintings holdings. Its acquisition underscores the museum’s focus on representing the breadth of 17th‑century Flemish painting.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van Kessel the Elder or Jan van Kessel (I) (baptized 5 April 1626, Antwerp – 17 April 1679, Antwerp) was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp in the mid-17th century.
