The artwork, titled “Sinking Of The Pharaoh In The Red Sea,” was created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1530 in Germany. This oil-on-wood piece measures 82 x 117 cm and belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. It is a religious painting depicting a significant biblical event.
The artwork dramatically captures the biblical scene of the Pharaoh’s army drowning in the Red Sea, with a clear depiction of the Israelites on the left side walking on dry ground. The right side illustrates the chaos as Egyptian soldiers, horses, and chariots are engulfed by turbulent waters. The composition masterfully divides the scene with a diagonal partition; tranquil land on one side and the tumultuous waters on the other. Cranach’s use of vivid detail and color emphasizes the contrasting fates of the two groups, conveying a strong sense of divine intervention and deliverance. The rocky landscape and distant hills provide depth to the scene, while the expressive figures add a dynamic quality to the narrative.
