The Submersion of Pharoah's Army in the Red Sea
Venetian Painting, c. 1514/1515
- Artist
- Venetian Painting
- Date
- c. 1514/1515
- Type
- Medium
- woodcut
- Collection
- National Gallery of Art, Washington
- Licence
- Public domain, CC0
Image description
The image shows a scene captured from a slightly elevated point of view, displaying both land and sea. The horizon is high in the composition, where the sea meets a distant cityscape with spires and towers. The brushstrokes, in this woodcut technique, are meticulous and dense, creating texture and depth in the swirling waters and skies. The color palette is stark, as seen in black and white prints, using shadows and highlights to convey the dramatic scene. Figures and horses are in motion in the foreground, depicting a battlefield. Waves dominate a large portion leading to a calm skyline while cliffs rise to the side. The composition is dynamic, busy, and intricate.