Het verbond tussen God en Noach 1658 - 1692

Cornelis Bloemaert created this engraving, ‘The Covenant Between God and Noah,’ likely in the Dutch Republic during the mid-17th century. The image depicts the biblical story of God's promise to never again flood the earth, symbolized by a rainbow. However, this isn't just a straightforward illustration. Bloemaert uses allegory, a common visual language of the time, to comment on contemporary society. The figures surrounding Noah are idealized, classical forms, associating the covenant with concepts of reason, order, and divine authority. The Dutch Republic, newly independent and prosperous, was keen to establish its legitimacy. Prints like this one circulated widely, reinforcing religious and social values among the growing middle class. The Rijksmuseum, like other national museums, plays a role in shaping our understanding of Dutch history through its collection and display of such works. Art historians use sources such as period literature, religious texts, and economic data to better understand how this print functioned in its original context and what it meant to its viewers.