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 created between 1514 and 1515, during the height of the Italian Renaissance. This ambitious work is historically significant, renowned for being the largest and most complex single-sheet print produced in Europe at that time. Titian designed the dynamic composition, working closely with a professional block cutter to translate the chaotic scene into the demanding medium of the woodcut. The resulting print showcases a dramatic utilization of strong contrasts and dense linear patterns characteristic of the technique.

The scene vividly illustrates the biblical narrative from the Book of Exodus, capturing the moment the pursuing Egyptian army, led by Pharaoh, is overwhelmed by the returning waters of the Red Sea. Unlike smaller, more intimate prints common during the period, the impressive scale of this piece allows Titian to convey a panoramic view filled with struggling horses, sinking chariots, and the terrified, flailing figures of the drowning soldiers. This sense of swirling chaos and high drama cemented Titian's reputation not only as a leading painter but also as a master designer for the emerging market for art prints in Venice.

The original wood blocks for this composition were notably reused and recut many years after its initial creation, testifying to the enduring popularity and influence of the design. This powerful impression of The Submersion of Pharaoh’s Army in the Red Sea, crucial to understanding the evolution of the Renaissance printmaking tradition, is housed within the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.