Ark van Noach 18th century

Curator: This engraving is entitled "Ark van Noach," dating back to the 18th century. It’s currently held in the Rijksmuseum, and the artist is Giovanni Volpato. The work presents the iconic biblical story using detailed line work and a somewhat whimsical Baroque style. Editor: Well, my immediate reaction is…peaceful, almost dreamlike. The border with its scrolling flowers feels less like a frame and more like the edge of a waking thought. Is Noah actually happy about surviving? He doesn't look too thrilled to be stepping off the boat after all that water! Curator: Interesting observation! From my perspective, I see how the engraving process itself—the repetitive and skilled labor— mirrors the painstaking effort required to construct the Ark. Consider the consumption aspect: prints like this circulated widely, bringing biblical narratives into homes and promoting religious literacy. The ornate border acts, as you say, less like a frame, more like an embrace, enticing viewers to engage intimately. Editor: Right, that makes sense. But I'm still drawn to that central figure. Noah seems lost, vulnerable in the face of divine instruction, literally directed by God in the clouds. I feel a resonance here. Is it me, or do the dove and the sheep looks less than enthused? Curator: What’s also fascinating to consider are the production standards, the accessibility of images in this form versus original paintings. Here we observe allegory mixing with narrative as it translates religious canon into commodity. Prints democratized art. Editor: A divine IKEA assembly kit, if you will. Except you can't eat the Allen wrench! And, hey, it all circles back. Because at the heart of the Noah narrative there is renewal…hope! Curator: Absolutely! This piece illustrates the transition between deluge and new beginnings. It prompts considerations around themes of human resilience and divine intervention, brought to the masses. Editor: Beautifully said. I am struck again by the details— the promise delivered with flair. Perhaps we are both witnessing Noah at the ultimate 'turning of the page' moment. I wonder about the hand who selected the coloring scheme— what guided their palette and aesthetic choices? It gives us yet another angle to look upon the moment, doesn't it? Curator: Agreed, it leaves us with plenty to contemplate.