Verzamelen van het manna 1508 - 1561

Battista Franco made this engraving, ‘Verzamelen van het manna’, sometime in the mid-16th century. The image illustrates a scene from the Old Testament Book of Exodus, where God provides the Israelites with manna from heaven during their journey in the desert. Franco's choice of subject reflects the religious and cultural context of the Renaissance. During this period, biblical themes were commonly depicted in art, often serving didactic purposes. Consider the relationship between artistic production and patronage in 16th-century Italy, where religious institutions and wealthy families commissioned works of art to promote their values and display their status. Franco’s work, like many Renaissance prints, was widely circulated and accessible. These prints played a significant role in disseminating knowledge and shaping popular perceptions of religious narratives. Historians use these prints as invaluable resources for understanding the cultural and intellectual currents of the Renaissance, examining how artistic choices reflect and reinforce social norms.