The deluge (1737)

Dated 1737, "The deluge" is an artwork by Balthasar Beschey. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is landscape. Background on Religion: Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. About the period around 1737: In Japan, ukiyo-e woodblock printing flourished in the Edo period and made colour prints a popular and affordable art form. The Enlightenment and the habit of the Grand Tour fed a wider interest in science, travel, antiquity, and natural history, and illustrators accompanied many expeditions.

On onlly.art "The deluge" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

Flemish, 1708–1776

If you like the visual language of Balthasar Beschey, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.