The raising of the bronze snake Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770)

The painting depicts a scene from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. In the center, a muscular man, likely Moses, writhes in agony as a bronze snake coils around his arm and neck. His face is contorted in pain, and his eyes are cast upwards in a plea. To his left, a woman, possibly Aarons wife, looks on with concern, her hand resting on his shoulder. Behind them, figures draped in colorful fabrics suggest a camp or gathering. The upper portion of the painting shows a tent-like structure and a blue sky marred by reddish cracks in the fresco.
The subtext of the painting lies in the biblical narrative it represents: the Israelites were struck by poisonous snakes after complaining against God and Moses. Moses, at Gods command, fashioned a bronze snake and held it aloft on a pole. Those who looked upon it and believed were healed. Therefore, the painting visually conveys themes of sin, suffering, divine punishment, faith, and miraculous healing. The dramatic poses and expressions emphasize the physical and emotional turmoil of the afflicted, while the presence of the bronze snake symbolizes divine intervention and the potential for salvation through obedience and faith. The rich fruit and foliage depicted on the right could symbolize abundance and the promise of life restored.