The Creation of the Animals
Medium
woodcut from four blocks on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 49 × 57.8 cm (19 5/16 × 22 3/4 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund
Accession Number
2022.67.1
Art Historical Context
"The Creation of the Animals," a large woodcut produced around 1550 by an anonymous Venetian artist after a design by Raphael, captures a moment of divine wonder from the Book of Genesis. Created roughly three decades after Raphael’s death, the print reflects the enduring influence of the High Renaissance master, whose graceful figures and harmonious compositions continued to inspire artists across Italy. By translating Raphael’s vision into print, the Venetian workshop made this biblical scene accessible to a broader audience beyond the walls of churches and palaces. The work’s impressive sc...