Tintoretto “The Creation of the Animals” at the Accademia Galleries in Venice

Tintoretto (1518 – 31 May 1594) – “The Creation of the Animals”

Painting – Oil on canvas (150 x 258 cm) 1550–1553

Tintoretto, The Creation of the Animals, at the Accademia Galleries in Venice, Italy

The Creation of Animals The Creation of Animals is a work by Tintoretto which comes from the Scuola della Trinità, which stood on the site of the present-day Church of the Salute and was consequently destroyed.

This painting remained in the Accademia’s storerooms until 1928, before finally being exhibited there.

This painting on the theme of Genesis was intended to decorate the Albergo hall of the Scuola della Trinità.

Other works on the theme of Genesis were already in the hall of the Scuola, and this one was commissioned from Tintoretto to complete the decorative cycle of the said Genesis.

What is striking about this painting is the movement – not to say the frantic dash – of the animals illustrating the creative power of God’s hand which bestows upon them the breath of life and his blessing.

The Creation of Animals Apart from the animals at the centre of the painting, depicted at God’s feet and showing a peaceful existence – one drinking at the water’s edge whilst the little rabbits and land animals are settled quietly at the foot of the tree – all the others are in full flight.

From birds to the unicorn, Tintoretto has not overlooked the relevant passages from the Bible and depicts it accurately with its horn and goatee; we see them all flying as fast as they can and in tight formation.

The same applies to everything that swims: the fish barely have time to take a breath at the surface before diving and dashing at full speed towards the destination God has assigned them, towards the left of the painting.

One might concede that it takes time to populate the whole earth, and that, in fact, there is no time to lose!

The Creation of Animals