The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The monumental print, The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea, was executed between 1510 and 1520, derived from a design attributed to Titian (Italian, c. 1488-1576). This ambitious work was realized as a woodcut in black on ivory laid paper, published by Domenico dalle Greche (Italian, active 1543-1558). This collaboration exemplifies the burgeoning market for reproductive prints in Renaissance Italy, allowing the dissemination of designs by masters like Titian across Europe. The classification of this piece as a large-scale print highlights the technical skill required to translate a complex composition into the woodcut medium, marking it as a significant achievement in early 16th-century printmaking.

The visual drama inherent in the subject matter-the drowning of the Egyptian soldiers following the Israelites' passage-is powerfully rendered through the sharp contrasts typical of the woodcut technique. While the original composition is based "after" a design by Titian, the publisher Domenico dalle Greche played a crucial role in creating the detailed cross-hatching and dynamic rendering of figures necessary for such a large format work. This process made monumental compositions accessible, furthering Titian’s reputation beyond the confines of painting studios and private collections.

The scene captures the moment of divine intervention, showing men and horses engulfed by turbulent waves. The massive scale and narrative intensity suggest the importance of biblical themes in 16th-century Italian art consumption. Though historically challenging to attribute the exact design contribution between the painter and the printmaker, this edition remains essential for studying early modern reproductive processes. As an example of high-quality prints from the period, the work is part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the image is widely utilized across the public domain.