Jan Brueghel the Elder: The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark

Born in Brussels and trained by his grandmother, Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625) was called "Velvet Brueghel" for his skill at painting rich and delicate textures. The story of Noah's ark provided a subject well suited to Brueghel's abilities. In his painting, a few curious villagers stand beside a stream, which foreshadows the coming deluge, and watch as Noah herds ostriches, goats, camels, and other exotic animals toward the ark. Next to a prancing white stallion, a lion and lioness ch...