Noah late 16th/early 17th century

This drawing of Noah was made by Raphael, sometime between the late 15th and early 16th century, using pen and brown ink, with white heightening on gray-brown prepared paper. Raphael lived during the High Renaissance, a period of great cultural and artistic flourishing, but also significant social stratification. Here, Noah is not presented as a heroic figure but as an old man, his robe draped around him, seemingly burdened by the weight of his task and age. It’s intriguing to see the biblical figure of Noah, often associated with themes of divine judgment and renewal, rendered with such humanity and vulnerability. Raphael seems to be less interested in depicting the divine aspects of the biblical narrative and more focused on the human condition of Noah, an old, world-weary man, tasked with an impossible job. The drawing humanizes him, inviting us to reflect on themes of age, responsibility, and the burdens of leadership.