The Submersion of Pharoah's Army in the Red Sea, from twelve blocks: 'Block I, below Block H', showing the sea and a dog defecating

The Submersion of Pharoah's Army in the Red Sea, from twelve blocks: 'Block I, below Block H', showing the sea and a dog defecating is a monumental early work by Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), executed between 1509 and 1519. Classified as a woodcut, this large-scale print represents one of the most ambitious printmaking projects undertaken during the Venetian Renaissance. The immense final image is constructed from twelve separate blocks, meticulously carved to depict the dramatic biblical account of the drowning of Pharaoh’s forces following the exodus of the Israelites.

Titian utilized the specific properties of the woodcut medium to convey the turbulent power of the event. The composition is dominated by the chaos of the seas, with powerful, sweeping cuts defining the churning waves that engulf the struggling soldiers, horses, and chariots. The artist’s masterful control over line creates deep contrasts between the dark waters and the exposed figures. Notably, the detailed reference in the title to the lower sections points to a highly specific, naturalistic inclusion: a dog defecating on the shore. This unexpected detail grounds the epic spiritual narrative in the mundane reality of the earthly environment, reflecting the complex blend of sacred subject matter and humanist observation common during the period.

Although Titian is most famous for his painting, this complex work demonstrates his significant involvement in the development of reproductive prints and graphic arts. The technical challenge of aligning and printing twelve individual blocks speaks to the high level of sophistication achieved in contemporary Venetian workshops. This historically crucial piece of Renaissance printmaking is housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains a key example of the master’s early oeuvre.