"NOAH'S SACRIFICE AFTER THE FLOOD" - OIL ON CANVAS - 17TH/18TH CENTURY

Descriptive Sheet of the Artwork Subject: The Sacrifice of Noah The painting depicts the biblical episode of Noah's Sacrifice (Genesis 8:20-22), performed after the end of the Great Flood as thanksgiving to God. In the center: The senile figure of Noah with arms wide open in prayer towards the sky. On the left: A sacrificial altar from which flames and smoke rise; above, among the clouds, appears the divine figure blessing the offering, accompanied by a small cherub. On the right and in the foreground: Noah's family members in various attitudes of devotion, a young man leading the animals, and, in the lower right, sections of "still life" with utensils and a dog. In the background: A harsh landscape with a high mountain (probably Ararat) under a sky that hints at the thinning of the post-flood clouds. Area of Origin and Style The work can be traced back to the Italian school of the 17th century, with a strong matrix linked to Baroque Classicism. Emilian/Venetian Area: The rendering of the landscape, the typology of the female faces, and the use of color suggest an author influenced by the Bolognese painting (Carracci school) or Veneto-Lombard for the softness of the chiaroscuro passages. Composition: The scene is built on a diagonal that starts from the altar and rises towards the mountain, creating a dynamism typical of the 17th century. Conservation Status The painting needs to be restored. Surface: A dense and widespread natural craquelure is noted, consistent with the age of the work. There are deposits of superficial dust and oxidized varnishes that obscure its original chromatic vivacity. Support: Oil on canvas (first canvas). Some small detachments of color and abrasions are noted (visible especially in the details of the hands and the sky), but the overall structure appears intact and legible. Restoration: The painting will be delivered restored (cleaning and consolidation), allowing to recover the brightness of the skies and the luminous contrasts. Technical Details Era: 17th/18th century. Technique: Oil on canvas. Frame: Present but not antique in gilded wood Dimensions: 144 x 119 including the frame, 130 x 107 cm the canvas alone.