Who painted Crossing of the Red Sea?

Crossing of the Red Sea was painted by Cornelis de Wael in 1630.

Where can I see Crossing of the Red Sea?

Crossing of the Red Sea is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Crossing of the Red Sea?

Crossing of the Red Sea is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Crossing of the Red Sea

Cornelis de Wael , 1630

Crossing of the Red Sea is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelis de Wael. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis de Wael’s *Crossing of the Red Sea* is an oil painting executed in 1630. The work belongs to the Flemish Baroque tradition and is part of the permanent holdings of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. It presents a biblical episode rendered with dramatic movement and a densely populated shoreline.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the Exodus narrative, showing the Israelites gathered on a rocky coast as they prepare to enter the sea. Some figures wade through shallow water while others stand on land, gazing upward toward the tumultuous waters, suggesting a moment of divine intervention and collective anticipation.

Technique & Style

De Wael employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated faces and craggy stones with deeper shadows to model the crowd and separate foreground from background. The palette is dominated by earthy tones, and the composition is arranged in a diagonal sweep that guides the eye toward the storm‑filled sea, enhancing the sense of motion.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced during de Wael’s active period in Genoa, where he worked both as an artist and a dealer. After changing hands several times, it entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection, where it remains on display as an example of early‑17th‑century Flemish religious art.