(Italian School, 17th Century) "Israelites Collecting Manna from Heaven"

(Italian School, 17th Century) "Israelites Collecting Manna from Heaven"

A rare and fantastic Biblical painting depicting a group of Israelites in the desert collecting manna falling from heaven, circa 1600's. In the original carved baroque gilt-wood frame.

Canvas: 31.25" high x 23.5" wide
Frame 19" high x 26.5" wide

In very good condition, recently professionally cleaned and ready to hang.

Manna, according to the Bible, is an edible substance which God provided for the Israelites during their travels in the desert during the 40-year period following the Exodus and prior to the conquest of Canaan. It is also mentioned in the Quran three times.

In the description in the Book of Exodus, manna is described as being "a fine, flake-like thing" like the frost on the ground.[It is described in the Book of Numbers as arriving with the dew during the night. Exodus adds that it had to be collected before it was melted by the heat of the sun, and that it was like a coriander seed in size but white in color. Numbers describes it as having the appearance of bdellium, adding that the Israelites ground it and pounded it into cakes, which were then baked, resulting in something that tasted like cakes baked with oil. Exodus states that raw manna tasted like wafers that had been made with honey. The Israelites were instructed to eat only the manna they had gathered for each day. Stored manna "bred worms and stank", the exception being that stored the day before the Sabbath (Preparation Day), when twice the amount of manna was gathered. This manna did not spoil overnight.

Until they reached Canaan, the Israelites are implied by some passages in the Bible to have eaten only manna during their desert sojourn, despite the availability of milk and meat from the livestock with which they traveled, and the references to provisions of fine flour, oil, and meat, in parts of the journey's narrative.