The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The monumental print, 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), stands as a remarkable example of early sixteenth-century woodcut innovation. This complex work, dating to approximately 1510-1520, illustrates the biblical narrative from the Book of Exodus, capturing the moment the pursuing Egyptian army drowns as the waters of the Red Sea collapse around them. While the design is attributed to an artist working after the Venetian master, the dramatic scale, high energy, and dynamic movement evident in this scene clearly reflect Titian’s influential Renaissance style.

The execution of this piece as a large-scale woodcut in black on ivory laid paper demonstrates the increasing importance of high-quality prints as disseminators of major artistic compositions across Italy and Europe. Unlike smaller, more intimate devotional prints, this work was designed to compete visually with large-scale wall paintings, requiring significant technical skill in carving the complex forms of the figures and the turbulent marine environment. The development of such ambitious prints allowed wider audiences access to the creative output of leading artists like Titian, contributing significantly to his lasting fame.

This version is held in the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering scholars insight into the collaborative nature of Renaissance printmaking. The enduring historical and artistic significance of these prints means that much of the documentation relating to this era is now in the public domain, ensuring continued accessibility for study and appreciation.