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The Gathering of Manna by Bachiacca

Bachiacca · 1540/1555

Bachiacca's "The Gathering of Manna" (1548) at the Uffizi Gallery depicts the biblical miracle of manna falling from the sky, a pivotal moment of divine provision for the Israelites in the desert. While a religious subject, its post-creation story is less miraculous.

Observe the subtle details: tiny white flakes of manna drift throughout the scene, collected by figures with improvised vessels like bowls and hats. The artist's luminous palette gives an ethereal quality to the falling sustenance.

This painting was not commissioned or freely given to the powerful Medici family. Instead, it was seized by them without payment after Bachiacca's death. This act of appropriation reveals a darker side of patronage and power dynamics in Renaissance Florence.

It makes you wonder how many other works of art have such untold stories behind them.

Details

Look closely, tiny white flakes drift down everywhere.
Look closely, tiny white flakes drift down everywhere.
And the people gather it, with whatever they have.
And the people gather it, with whatever they have.
But this painting was not a pious gift.
But this painting was not a pious gift.
The wealthy Medici family seized it from the artist's estate.
The wealthy Medici family seized it from the artist's estate.
They took it without payment, after his death.
They took it without payment, after his death.
Transcript

This painting shows a biblical miracle: food falling from the sky. Look closely, tiny white flakes drift down everywhere. And the people gather it, with whatever they have. But this painting was not a pious gift. The wealthy Medici family seized it from the artist's estate. They took it without payment, after his death.