The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea by Titian, executed between 1514 and 1515, is one of the most ambitious and powerful works of Italian Renaissance printmaking. This complex woodcut depicts the dramatic biblical event from the Book of Exodus, capturing the moment the sea closes upon the pursuing Egyptian army.

As a designer, Titian utilized the woodcut medium to achieve a colossal scale previously unseen in graphic arts. The scene is saturated with chaotic energy: horses thrash, chariots overturn, and desperate soldiers struggle against the massive waves. The sophisticated composition and dynamic figures highlight the artist’s mastery even when working in the inherently starker medium of relief printing. While the physical carving of the blocks would have been entrusted to specialist printmakers, the original design and compositional vigor are clearly the product of the Venetian master.

This remarkable print demonstrates the central role that reproducible media played in disseminating major artistic concepts across Italy and Europe during the 16th century. Unlike unique paintings, prints allowed the widespread appreciation and study of Titian’s compositional style. The technical difficulty involved in cutting and printing such a large, multi-block image speaks to the high status printmaking achieved during this period. The artwork offers vital insights into the intersection of religious history painting and the expanding market for fine art prints.

This major example of early Renaissance graphic art is classified as a print and resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.