Gods Summons Noah and His Family into the Ark

Art Historical Context

In the wood engraving *God Summons Noah and His Family the Ark* (1827?), Joseph von Führich captures a pivotal biblical moment from Genesis, where divine command urges Noah, his wife, sons, and daughters-in-law to enter the amid impending floodwaters. Created early in Führich's career, print reflects the artist's affiliation with the Nazarene movement—a group of early 19th-century German and Austrian painters who sought to revive the spiritual depth and meticulous detail of Renaissance religious art, blending Romantic idealism with moral fervor. The medium of wood engraving is key to its appeal. By incising fine lines into the end-grain of wood blocks, engravers like those who realized Führich's design achieved remarkable precision and tonal subtlety, rivaling copper engravings but at lower cost. This technique flourished in the 1820s for affordable book illustrations and popular devotional prints, making sacred narratives accessible to a broad audience. At just 6 5/16 x 8 7/8 inches, the intimate scale invites close contemplation of the figures' expressive faces and dynamic composition. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work exemplifies 19th-century Europe's enduring fascination with Old Testament stories as vehicles for faith and human drama. Führich's vision underscores themes of obedience and salvation, resonating in an era of religious revival.

About the Artist

Joseph von Führich · 1800–1876

Austrian, Kratzau 1800–1876 Vienna