The artwork, named “Drunkenness of Noah,” was created by Giovanni Bellini around the year 1515. Rendered in oil on canvas, it falls under the High Renaissance art movement and measures 103 by 157 centimeters. This religious painting is currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’archéologie de Besançon in Besançon, France.
The painting depicts the biblical account of Noah’s inebriation, as described in the Book of Genesis. Noah, rendered with a realistic, elderly visage and lying unclothed, appears to be in a deep slumber, an empty cup by his side implying his state of inebriation. His body is partially covered by a red cloth, attended by three of his sons. Their expressions and gestures convey a combination of concern, contemplation, and care. The background reveals a verdant setting with lush, green foliage, suggesting an outdoor location. The use of light and shadow enhances the painting’s naturalism, while the composition and the figures’ emotional depth exemplify the refined techniques of the High Renaissance period.
