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The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea, from twelve blocks: 'Block A' showing the tower of the fortress, part of the town and furling banner. This print, made from twelve separate blocks, is Titian's largest woodcut design.
The Submersion of Pharaoh’s Army in the Red Sea. c. 1515, printed 1549. After Titian (Italian, c. 1488-1576) published by Domenico dalle Greche (Italian, active 1543-1558) The grand scale of Titian’s twelve-sheet woodcut (see 1957.12.1–12) mimics history paintings and large wall hangings.
Here Titian creates a dramatic narrative that compellingly illustrates an episode recounted in the Book of Exodus of the Old Testament: the Egyptian army is submerged in the Red Sea following Moses’ parting of the waters, which had allowed the Israelites to pass safely as they fled their persecutors.
Title: Pharaoh's army drowning, section from 'Pharoah's army submerged in the Red Sea' Artist: ? After Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (Italian, Pieve di Cadore ca. 1485/90?–1576 Venice) Publisher: Domenico dalle Greche (Italian, active 1543–58) Date: ca. 1515 [published 1549] Medium: Woodcut from twelve blocks on twelve sheets.
The narrative—that of the Israelites’ persecution under the Egyptian pharaoh and his army’s fate when they followed Moses into the Red Sea—is propelled across the twelve sheets with remarkable unity.
Titian depicted the moment just after the Israelites safely crossed the seabed. Moses raises his staff to close the divided waters, and Pharaoh's army is lost to the tumultuous waves. Titian probably drew the dramatic scene directly on the woodblocks.
Jan 19, 2019 · The narrative—that of the Israelites’ persecution under the Egyptian pharaoh and his army’s fate when they followed Moses into the Red Sea—is propelled across the twelve sheets with remarkable unity.
