Image of the Week: Noah & the Dove
© D. Yael Bernhard
Noah & the Dove is the cover image and the image for November in my newly-printed calendar, The Jewish Eye 5780/2020 Calendar of Art. The calendar is now up on Amazon ($18 prime) and in my webstore (sale price of $15 ends tonight! Starting July 1st, the price will be $18 including shipping).
I chose this painting for the cover because it's a universal image of hope. The story of Noah's ark may be the most familiar story on earth, known and loved by people of all ages around the globe. I like images that awaken us to our common humanity and commonly-held myths. Stories shape cultures, and cultures form the basis of nations. Though Noah's ark is not a true story, it surely holds a lot of truth.
The painting itself takes inspiration from my Post-Impressionist mentors. Chagall showed me the possibility of using two different palettes within one painting. In this case, the color is divided between the interior hold of the ark and the exterior sky. The dark, earthy tones stand in contrast to spacious pale blue. Noah is the bridge between the two – like the Jewish people, he reaches beyond constriction to liberation.
The interior weaving of birds and beasts is inspired by countless geometric works by Picasso, Klée, and other artists who led me to create transparent overlapping shapes. I'm happily influenced by Cubism, though I'd never call myself a Cubist.
It seems significant to me that the first bird turned out by Noah is not able to find dry land. It is not the black raven but the white dove who brings back hope in the form of an olive branch. The white bird represents the pure innocence of a fresh start. White also contains the colors of the rainbow, which God sends forth at the end of the story.
I saw a rainbow yesterday while driving near my home, and took it as a sign to write about this painting!
I hope you'll help my calendar be a success this year by giving one as a gift and/or sharing the above links with your friends and family. You don't have to be Jewish – or use a printed calendar to keep track of your life – to enjoy this changing selection of art. The calendar is 11"x 8.5" closed; 11"x17" open, and printed on high quality glossy paper. Grids include both Hebrew and secular calendars; Sabbath candle-lighting times; Jewish holidays and weekly Torah portion in Hebrew and English; and thought-provoking captions written by yours truly.
A good week to all!
D Yael Bernhard