The Flood, from a series of scenes of the Genesis with scrolling motifs and grotesque figures on black grounds

Engraving, part of a repetition of a series of six scenes of the Genesis, surrounded by scrolling motifs and grotesque figures on black grounds, created by Étienne Delaune before 1573. This print represents Noah's ark in the center of the print, floating on turbulent waters, and framed by a sort of halo, possibly representing the rainbow that announces the end of the deluge. The end of the flood is also symbolized by two doves, each carrying an olive branch in its beak, perched on the ark's roof. Further above, two doves fly towards olive trees, on which climb two children, which hold up the tents of a canopy that crowns the ark. Under the ark is a representation of a grotesque meal, in which two grotesque men with pig heads sit around a table and to the sides of a woman; on each side, behind the grotesques, are two winged demons playing a sort of trumpet. The relationship of this scene with the flood is enigmatic, although it is likely a symbol of sin and the evil of men, which earned God's anger, especially with the presence of the pigs, attributes of luxury, gluttony, and laziness. On either side of this scene are two naked women, bathing in the water, followed, on the left, by a dog, and on the right by a horse. Above them are ox skulls, likely symbolizing death, hanging from a small canopy; their relationship with the flood is also unclear.