The Deluge

David Teniers II, artist

1610–1690

The Deluge, circa 1655

Where object was made: Belgium

Material/technique: copper; oil

Dimensions:
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 43.2 x 52.5 cm
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 17 x 20 11/16 in
Frame Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 24 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 1 1/2 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: State funds and Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Drey and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Goodwin by exchange

Accession number: 1989.0030

On display: Michaelis Gallery

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Label texts

Empowerment

Stories of a great flood that washes away civilization to redeem the earth and its inhabitants appear in many cultural traditions. This painting draws on the story of Noah and the Ark, an account shared across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The foreground depicts humans struggling for survival while in the distance the cresting ark signals hope beneath parting skies and beams of light.

Empowerment

Exhibition Label:
"Corpus," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums
In The Deluge, the Flemish Master David Teniers pits divine wrath against human compassion to tell the story of Noah and the Flood. Noah’s Ark is borne to safety on a towering wave while a group of figures in the foreground wait on the shrinking shore, or climb in vain for higher ground. While the biblical version of this story revolves around Noah, the painting focuses on the fate of those left behind. The terrible storm hangs in suspended motion as Teniers lingers over a pair of lovingly clasped hands or a turned cheek, traced with tears.