“Miracle of the Manna,” created by the renowned artist Tintoretto around 1577, is an exemplary work belonging to the Mannerism, also known as the Late Renaissance period. Executed with oil on canvas, the painting measures 550 by 520 centimeters and is classified under the religious painting genre. This artwork portrays a biblical scene with dramatic intensity and elaborate detail, in keeping with the stylistic tendencies of Mannerism.
In the artwork, a dynamic composition filled with vivid contrasts of light and shadow captures the moment when the Israelites receive manna from heaven. The painting is characterized by a high degree of movement, as seen in the vigorous gestures and poses of the figures. The scene is set under a darkened sky, where a divine light breaks through the clouds, symbolizing the miraculous occurrence. The figures below engage in various activities, gathering manna with a sense of urgency and reverence. Tintoretto masterfully balances complex human expressions and anatomical precision, all the while infusing the scene with an ethereal quality that emphasizes the miraculous theme.