The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea

The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea by Titian is a monumental woodcut executed between 1514 and 1515. Measuring over four feet wide, this ambitious print is one of the largest and most complex woodcuts produced in early sixteenth-century Venice. Created early in the career of the great Italian master, the scale and complexity of the piece challenged the traditional limits of the woodcut medium, which was typically reserved for smaller illustrations. Titian designed the dynamic composition, which was then cut into multiple blocks by a specialized craftsman to achieve the detailed rendering of the chaotic narrative.

The subject depicts the climactic moment from the Book of Exodus when the pursuing Egyptian chariots and soldiers are overwhelmed and swallowed by the returning waters of the Red Sea, securing the Israelites' miraculous passage to freedom. This powerful Biblical narrative allowed Titian to explore complex figural arrangements and dramatic intensity, characteristic of the High Renaissance style flourishing across Italy. The execution and detail required for such a large print highlight Titian’s important collaboration with professional printmakers, expanding the dissemination and public reach of his compositions far beyond Venice.

Titian’s achievement in The Submersion of Pharaoh's Army in the Red Sea cemented the reputation of Venetian drawing and design in the printmaking world. This exceptional impression is part of the distinguished collection of Old Master prints held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its historical significance and status, this celebrated work is often made available within the public domain, allowing researchers and enthusiasts global access to high-resolution reproductions of this rare early masterwork.