The Gathering of the Manna 1465

Dirk Bouts's "The Gathering of the Manna" (c. 1465) depicts the biblical story of the Israelites collecting manna in the desert. The painting features a group of figures, dressed in the fashion of 15th-century Northern Europe, kneeling and gathering the manna that has fallen from the sky, depicted as small white dots. The scene is set against a rocky landscape with distant hills, alluding to the harsh environment of the Israelites' journey. Bouts's meticulous attention to detail and use of naturalism are characteristic of Early Netherlandish painting. The work is a testament to the artist's mastery of composition and storytelling, which make it a significant example of Early Netherlandish art.