Two organ panel doors depicting the Fiery Serpents infesting the camp of Moses after the death of Aaron Palma il Giovane (Jacopo Negretti) (1548/50-1628)

The composition presents a scene of intense chaos and suffering, divided into two distinct but interconnected panels. The overall impression is one of overwhelming dread and divine retribution.
Here we see a densely populated encampment, rendered in a dramatic chiaroscuro that emphasizes the turmoil. A multitude of figures are strewn across the foreground, many lying prostrate or writhing in apparent agony. Their bodies are contorted in postures of distress, their faces etched with pain and fear. The artist has employed a palette dominated by earthy tones – browns, ochres, and reds – which contribute to the scene’s oppressive atmosphere. Scattered amongst the fallen figures are serpentine forms, depicted as fiery creatures that appear to be inflicting the suffering. These serpents coil around limbs, bite at faces, and generally contribute to the sense of inescapable torment.
In the left panel, a central figure, presumably a leader, raises his arms in what appears to be either supplication or an attempt to ward off the calamity. His pose is dynamic, suggesting both desperation and authority. Behind him, a pyramidal structure looms, possibly representing a monument or temple, adding a sense of scale and permanence to the scene of devastation.
The right panel shifts focus slightly, concentrating on a smaller group of figures clustered around what seems to be an elevated platform. A tall, slender pole is prominently displayed, drawing the eye upwards towards a dark, undefined space above. The central figure in this grouping appears to be receiving some form of intervention or guidance from a shadowy presence.
The subtexts within the painting are layered and complex. The serpents clearly symbolize divine punishment, likely referencing a narrative where such creatures were unleashed as a consequence of disobedience or transgression. The suffering of the people suggests the fragility of human existence in the face of divine power. The leader’s gesture can be interpreted as an appeal for mercy or a recognition of humanitys failings. The pyramidal structure hints at the enduring nature of faith and perhaps, the cyclical pattern of prosperity and ruin.
The division into two panels creates a sense of duality – contrasting despair with potential redemption, chaos with order. It suggests that even in the midst of profound suffering, there is an element of hope or intervention, though its source remains ambiguous. The overall effect is one of intense emotional impact, designed to evoke feelings of awe, fear, and perhaps, a contemplation on themes of faith, punishment, and divine justice.