“The Israelites Cross the Jordan River” is a religious painting by the artist Gustave Doré, notable for its affiliation with the Romanticism art movement. This artwork is part of the series “The Holy Bible,” which illustrates significant biblical events.
In the artwork, Doré presents a detailed portrayal of a momentous biblical scene where the Israelites are depicted crossing the Jordan River. The emphasis is on the sheer number of people and the solemnity of the occasion, capturing the gravity and sanctity associated with the event. Figures are seen bearing the Ark of the Covenant while others, possibly leaders and soldiers, are mounted on camels. The intricate use of lines and textures adds depth and movement to the scene, conveying the passage of people through a divinely parted river. The horizon is depicted with dramatic and tumultuous skies, characteristic of Doré’s Romantic style, which often evokes a sense of the sublime and the divine intervention in human affairs.
