The artwork titled “The Israelites pass the Red Sea, however, the first chariots of the Egyptian army are drowned (Exodus, XIV, 19-28)” was created by Marc Chagall in approximately 1934, in Paris, France. The piece, rendered through etching on paper, falls within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and measures 33.2 by 24.3 centimeters. This religious painting is part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series, produced between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956.
The etching depicts the biblical scene from the Book of Exodus where the Israelites are crossing the Red Sea. The divine intervention is prominently illustrated, with an angel guiding the people, while Moses stands with his staff raised. The pathway is surrounded by towering walls of water, creating a dramatic visual contrast between the escaping Israelites and the Egyptian chariots being engulfed by the sea, emphasizing the miraculous and harrowing nature of the event. The meticulous etching technique highlights the tumultuous waves and the movement of the figures, capturing the urgency and divine power present in the narrative.
