The Sacrifice of Noah

Francesco Fernandi, called Imperiali (Milan 1679 – Rome 1740). Oil painting on canvas, The Sacrifice of Noah by Francesco Fernandi called Imperiali (Milan 1679 - Rome 1740), circa 1720. Noah stands in the centre beside an altar with his left hand gesturing heavenwards. One son, wearing a light purple robe, is kneeling at his side, on the left. On the far left a large black and white dog is lying asleep. Another son, wearing a blue robe, is kneeling is in front of the altar in the centre foreground with a gold plate beside him. He is about to slaughter a ram that is being held by another standing, wearing an orange robe, and holding the ram by the neck. There are three kneeling women in prayer on the far right, probably Noah's wives. In the distant background, on the left, the animals can be seen leaving the ark. In the distance, on the right, a rainbow appears in the sky symbolising the covenant between God and earth. A supplicant figure at the left, presumably the fourth wife, is barely discernible (a pair of hands in the air): it may have been painted out and is reappearing as a pentiment along with a lion: the dark animal shape seen from behind, also on the left. The scene depicts the thanksgiving of Noah from Genesis 8:20-22 & 9:1-17. Stourhead, Wiltshire (Accredited Museum)