During their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites were starving in the wilderness, and God provided manna, a miraculous food, from Heaven. Old Testament (Exodus 16: 14-36). Moses, on the left, directs the Israelites to gather up the heavenly bread.
Both this painting and 'The Dance of Miriam' are probably two of the eight Old Testament pictures by Costa recorded in the ducal collections in Mantua in 1665.
This painting is the second in the narrative.
Key facts
Artist
Artist dates
1470 - about 1536
Full title
The Israelites gathering Manna
Date made
probably 1500-3
Medium and support
Glue tempera on linen
Dimensions
119.3 x 78.7 cm
Acquisition credit
Layard Bequest, 1916
Inventory number
NG3103
Location in Gallery
Other paintings in the group: Two Scenes from the Story of Moses
