Who painted The Deluge?

The Deluge was painted by Dominico Cunego in 1750.

Where can I see The Deluge?

The Deluge is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

The Deluge

The Deluge is a print by Dominico Cunego. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a paper print reproducing Nicolas Poussin’s composition titled *The Deluge*. It portrays the biblical flood, a moment when divine wrath submerges the earth. The image captures a tumultuous shoreline where figures grapple with rising waters, emphasizing the catastrophic scale of the event.

Subject & Meaning

The scene concentrates on human desperation amid the flood. A cluster of individuals gathers around a tree on a rocky bank; one clings to the trunk while another reaches out in aid. The composition underscores themes of survival, communal struggle, and the existential terror associated with divine punishment.

Technique & Style

Rendered in black‑and‑white print, the image relies on strong contrasts of light and dark reminiscent of chiaroscuro, heightening the drama of the stormy sky and lightning. The stark tonal differences delineate the turbulent sea, the jagged rocks, and the anguished bodies, creating a sense of depth and movement.

History & Provenance

The print is a later reproduction of Poussin’s original oil painting, made to disseminate the composition beyond the canvas. While the exact date of the print’s creation is not specified, such reproductions were common in the 18th and 19th centuries to broaden access to celebrated works.

Context

Poussin’s *The Deluge* belongs to a tradition of biblical disaster scenes that served both moral and didactic purposes. By visualising the flood’s chaos, the work reflects contemporary concerns about divine justice and human fragility, aligning with the Baroque fascination with dramatic narrative and emotional intensity.