The Brazen Serpent (Jusepe Leonardo) facts for kids

The Brazen Serpent is a famous painting from 1630 to 1640. It was created by a Spanish artist named Jusepe Leonardo. You can see this painting today at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain.

The painting tells a story from the Book of Numbers in the Bible. It shows a time when the people of Israel were in trouble and how they were saved in a surprising way.

What is The Brazen Serpent Painting?

This painting shows a dramatic moment from an old story. It captures a scene where many people are suffering. In the middle of the chaos, a special metal snake is being used to help them. The artist, Jusepe Leonardo, used oil paints on a large canvas to bring this story to life.

Who Painted The Brazen Serpent?

The artist behind The Brazen Serpent is Jusepe Leonardo. He was an important painter from Spain. He lived in the 1600s and was known for his religious and historical paintings. His works often showed strong feelings and detailed scenes, just like this one.

The Story Behind the Painting

The painting illustrates a story from the Bible, found in the Book of Numbers (chapter 21, verses 6-9). It's a tale about faith, punishment, and healing.

The Israelites' Journey

The story begins with the Israelites, who were traveling through a desert. They had been on a long journey and were tired and frustrated. They started to complain about God and their leader, Moses. They were unhappy with their food and the difficult path.

The Snake Attack

Because of their complaints, God sent poisonous snakes among them. These snakes bit many people, and sadly, many died from the bites. The Israelites quickly realized their mistake. They were very scared and sorry for what they had done.

The Healing Bronze Snake

The people begged Moses to ask God for help. Moses prayed for them. God told Moses to make a sculpture of a snake out of metal, either copper or bronze. Moses was told to put this metal snake on a pole. God said that anyone who had been bitten by a snake and looked at the metal snake would be healed.

In the painting, you can see Moses, wearing a red robe. He is pointing with his staff towards the metal snake. This shows the people how they can be saved. Those who looked at the metal snake were indeed cured of their snake bites.

Where Can You See It?

Today, you can visit The Brazen Serpent painting in Madrid, Spain. It is kept at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. This museum has many important artworks from different periods.