Noah's Sacrifice

The drawing Noah's Sacrifice, executed after the French Classical master Nicolas Poussin French, 1594-1665, captures the solemn biblical event of the post-Flood offering described in the Book of Genesis. Created sometime between 1640 and 1699, this piece is an important example of how Poussin’s highly influential compositions were studied and replicated by subsequent generations of artists in France.

Classified strictly as a drawing, the work is rendered primarily in red chalk, skillfully augmented by a red wash applied to cream laid paper. This classic combination of dry and wet media allows for a sensitive rendering of form and shadow, characteristic of preparatory studies or careful reproductions intended to capture the dramatic chiaroscuro and ordered complexity of Poussin’s original. The technique effectively conveys the gathering of Noah, his family, and animals around the newly built altar, moments after exiting the Ark.

Poussin’s treatment of history painting defined the principles of the classical style in the 17th century. This specific interpretation, produced during the latter half of the century, showcases the enduring adherence in France to his dramatic narrative structure and careful arrangement of figures within a defined space. The drawing currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it offers scholars and visitors insight into period workshop practices and the careful study required to reproduce major Baroque compositions. Like many classical drawings now in major museum holdings, reproductions and high-quality prints of Poussin’s original designs frequently enter the public domain, ensuring their continued accessibility for art history research and education.