The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea by Titian, dating from 1514-1515, is one of the most ambitious and technically complex prints created during the High Renaissance. Executed as a monumental woodcut, the work depicts the dramatic biblical narrative from the Book of Exodus, focusing on the moment the sea parts and then collapses upon the pursuing Egyptian forces. The subject provided the artist, known primarily as a painter, an opportunity to realize powerful movement and dramatic tension, central elements in the art of Renaissance Italy. The immense scale of this image, achieved by joining multiple carved blocks, suggests it was intended for prominent public or private wall display rather than for inclusion in a book.

Titian collaborated closely with specialist block cutters to translate his detailed, vigorous composition into the woodcut medium. The level of detail achieved in rendering the chaotic scene-the churning water, drowning figures, and struggling horses-demonstrates the artist’s growing mastery of dynamic figure compositions early in his career. Unlike many contemporary prints, this piece emphasizes the terrifying power of divine intervention and nature’s fury.

The technical and artistic excellence of this woodcut cements its importance in the history of graphic arts. This defining early 16th-century work showcasing the innovation characteristic of Venetian prints resides in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its profound historical significance, high-resolution images of this Titian masterwork are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread scholarly access to this seminal example of his graphic output.