Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Elijah fed by Ravens

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

The monumental figure in this painting is Elijah, an Old Testament prophet who lived in Israel in the ninth century BC. Having predicted that a terrible drought would ravage the land, Elijah was instructed by God to hide by the stream Cherith. Here, ravens delivered bread and meat to him every morning and evening.

While Elijah’s story embodies piety, Guercino’s representation is profoundly human. The prophet sits awkwardly, his aged face turned expectantly toward the birds above him; they represent both physical and spiritual nourishment as Elijah places his faith in God’s commands. A bowl lies empty at his feet and his clothing is torn at the shoulder – reminders of his hunger and hardship in the wilderness.

This is one of two paintings Guercino made in 1620 for the papal legate of Ferrara, Cardinal Jacopo Serra, an early and enthusiastic patron of the artist.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Elijah fed by Ravens

Date

1620

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 195 x W 156.5 cm

Accession number

NG6612

Acquisition method

Bought, 2009

Work type

Painting

Tags

This artwork does not have any tags yet. You can help by tagging artworks on Tagger.

Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue