The Gathering of the Manna 1465

Dirk Bouts painted "The Gathering of the Manna" at an uncertain date, but probably in the 15th century. The scene comes from the Old Testament story of the Israelites gathering manna from heaven during their exodus from Egypt. This panel was commissioned for the altar of the Blessed Sacrament in Leuven, Belgium. We should ask what the public role of art was in the 15th century and what the politics of imagery were at the time. Bouts was working in a society deeply shaped by religious belief and institutions. The Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts and religious paintings were used to teach biblical stories and reinforce religious doctrine. We can explore the economic structures that made the production of art possible at the time and ask how the institution of the church shaped the artistic production. To better understand this artwork, one might consult historical texts and documents related to the commission. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.