Sacrifice of Noah 1575 - 1615

Bernard Salomon created this enameled metal plate depicting the Sacrifice of Noah sometime in the 16th century. We see Noah kneeling before a blazing altar, offering a sacrifice to God who appears above in the clouds. This act of sacrifice, deeply rooted in ancient rituals, symbolizes gratitude and atonement. Consider the enduring motif of sacrifice— it stretches from Abraham's near sacrifice of Isaac to the countless offerings in Greek and Roman temples. The flames rising here are not merely destructive; they are transformative, carrying prayers and devotion heavenward. The posture of Noah connects us to the archetypal pose of supplication found in numerous religious traditions. These gestures, passed down through generations, tap into our collective memory, evoking profound emotional responses. Like a recurring dream, these symbols resurface across cultures, bearing witness to humanity's enduring quest for meaning.