From Genesis to the Prophets · Founding Stories and History of Israel

The Old Testament provides painting with an immense repertoire of creation, covenant, trial, justice, prophecy, heroism and salvation.

The Old Testament brings together traditions composed and transmitted over many centuries. Genesis, Exodus, historical books, wisdom poetry and prophetic writings offer artists stories where human history is measured by promise, law, fault and mercy. Creation, Adam and Eve, the Flood, Abraham, Moses, David, Judith, Suzanne, Samson, Solomon, Tobit and the prophets become major subjects of medieval manuscripts, altarpieces, monumental decorations and easel painting. The Renaissance studies body, architecture and landscape through these episodes. The Renaissance studies body, architecture and landscape through these episodes. The Renaissance studies body, architecture and landscape through these episodes. The Renaissance studies body, architecture and landscape through these episodes. The Renaissance studies body, architecture and landscape through these episodes. The Baroque favors sudden decisions, restrained violence and chiaroscuro, while romanticism amplifies catastrophe, sublime and inner conflict. Géricault, Caravaggio, Klimt and Rubens show here four complementary readings: disaster, heroism, origin and judgment. The "Old Testament" selection notably compares Scene of the Flood - Théodore Géricault and Suzanne and the Old Men - Zanobi Strozzi. His reading favors the material.

Old Testament stories give painters universal situations: choose, resist, transmit, lose, hope and start again.