TINTORETTO
(b. 1518, Venezia, d. 1594, Venezia)

Elijah Fed by the Angel

1577-78
Oil on canvas, 370 x 265 cm
Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice

This oval depicts the Old Testament story when Elijah flees to Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-5).

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."