The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea, created after a design by Titian (Italian, c. 1488-1576) and published by Domenico dalle Greche (Italian, active 1543-1558), is a powerful early woodcut dating to the period 1510-1520. This monumental work, executed in black ink on ivory laid paper, exemplifies the ambitious scale and dramatic narrative possible in graphic arts during the Italian Renaissance. Though based on Titian's original vision, the demanding process of cutting the large-scale block and publishing this intricate piece was expertly managed by Domenico dalle Greche, showcasing the collaborative nature of printmaking in sixteenth-century Venice.

The subject depicts the overwhelming moment from the Book of Exodus when the pursuing Egyptian army is drowned as the divided waters of the Red Sea suddenly collapse upon them. Titian’s masterful composition translates the chaos and sheer terror of the scene into a dynamic arrangement of churning water, rearing horses, and figures struggling desperately against the deluge. The sheer scale and complexity of this piece distinguish it from contemporary prints, pushing the technical boundaries of the woodcut medium.

The meticulous arrangement of lines and cross-hatching to achieve complex light and shadow effects demonstrates the exceptional skill required to translate the stylistic achievements of Italian painting into the sharp, graphic lines characteristic of high-quality prints. This work holds significant art historical value, illustrating the vital importance of reproductive prints in disseminating the influential style of masters like Titian across Europe. This particular impression of The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea is maintained within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.