The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea, a monumental woodcut executed between 1510 and 1520, is attributed after a design by Titian (Italian, c. 1488-1576) and published by Domenico dalle Greche (Italian, active 1543-1558). This extraordinary piece of Italian Renaissance printmaking depicts the dramatic biblical moment from the Book of Exodus, where the pursuing Egyptian army is overwhelmed by the returning waters of the Red Sea.

Executed as a substantial black woodcut on ivory laid paper, the work reflects the ambition of 16th-century Venetian printmakers to translate the drama and scope of large-scale painting into reproducible mediums. The sheer size of this piece, which originally consisted of multiple sheets, demonstrates the technical mastery required by Domenico dalle Greche to translate Titian’s complex narrative compositions into the linear language necessary for relief prints. The detailed composition contrasts the desperate plight of Pharaoh’s horses and drowning soldiers with the figures of the victorious Israelites, safely viewed viewing the catastrophe from the opposite shore.

Dating from a critical period of artistic innovation in Italy, this piece played a significant role beyond mere devotion, serving as a decorative or instructional reference for contemporary artists and patrons. The influence of Titian’s highly expressive approach to human movement and landscape is evident throughout the dramatic scene. This exceptional example of early 16th-century prints is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, ensuring the powerful imagery of The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea remains widely accessible today, often through public domain resources.