Entry into the ark: Noah and his family walk toward the ark in the background, pairs of animals walk up a ramp leading into the ark, from "Liber Genesis" 1612

Crispijn de Passe the Elder created this intricate engraving, "Entry into the Ark," part of his "Liber Genesis," using delicate lines to bring the biblical scene to life. The composition is divided into two distinct zones. The left side features Noah and his family, rendered with careful attention to their garments and expressions. Their procession establishes a formal, almost ceremonial tone. On the right, chaos unfolds as animals, great and small, converge towards the ark. The artist uses dense, cross-hatched lines to depict the urgency and scale of the event, contrasting with the calmer, more structured depiction of Noah's family. The ark itself looms in the background, a symbol of salvation amidst impending doom. De Passe employs the visual language of his time to interpret an ancient story, inviting us to consider themes of order versus chaos. It reminds us that art offers multiple layers of interpretation, shaped by the artist's hand and our own contemporary perspective.