Artwork
Sinners before the Flood

Sinners before the Flood is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Cornelis van Haarlem. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Sinners before the Flood is a 1598 oil painting by Cornelis van Haarlem, a prominent Northern Mannerist artist. The work depicts a biblical scene from the Book of Genesis, interpreted through the stylistic lens of the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a chaotic, nude crowd in a wooded setting, juxtaposed with a distant, serene landscape. This contrast may symbolize the disregard of sinners for the impending flood, as foretold in Noah's story, highlighting the moral divergence between recklessness and redemption.
Technique & Style
Van Haarlem employed warm colors and dramatic lighting, characteristic of Northern Mannerism, to accentuate the figures against the subdued forest backdrop. This approach creates a sense of tension and emphasizes the emotional state of the subjects.
History & Provenance
Created in 1598, the painting is now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection, reflecting its significance within the broader context of Dutch Golden Age art.
Context
As a product of the Northern Mannerist movement, the painting reflects the era's emphasis on exaggerated forms and dramatic compositions, while also engaging with biblical themes prevalent in 17th-century Dutch art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Corneliszoon van Haarlem (Dutch: ; 1562 – 11 November 1638) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and draughtsman, one of the leading Northern Mannerist artists in the Netherlands, and an important forerunner of Frans Hals as a…



















