Noah letting the animals into the ark 1625 - 1635

"Noah letting the animals into the ark" is a 17th-century etching by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, also known as "Il Grechetto". The etching depicts Noah, standing at the entrance of the ark, as animals enter in a flurry of movement and commotion. The work is characterized by Castiglione's distinctive use of hatching and cross-hatching, which creates a sense of depth and volume. The artist's masterful use of light and shadow, seen in the interplay of light and dark, highlights the scene's drama and dynamism. The composition is lively, with animals in a variety of poses, creating a sense of the chaos and urgency of the moment. The print, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a powerful representation of a crucial biblical event.