Jacob II Savery (1593/95 - 1651)

Jacob Savery was part of a large family of artists of Flemish origin. His father, Jacob Savery and his uncle Roelandt Savery were well recognized painters thanks - among others - to their depictions of landscape scenery with animals. He worked in Delft, Leiden and Amsterdam. The painting depicts a slightly overgrown landscape, divided by the river delta, which leads to a wide surface of the water with Noah's Ark, onto which various kinds of animals are embarking. According to the Bible, Noah gathered two of each animal species, therefore saving them from the flood, which was to destroy the wicked world. This popular theme did allow artists to present different kinds of animals and birds, often rare and unusual. (expert opinion: Dr. Klaus Ertz, Lingen)