Who painted Moses Striking the Rock?

Moses Striking the Rock was painted by Giovanni Maria Bottala in 1634.

Where can I see Moses Striking the Rock?

Moses Striking the Rock is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Moses Striking the Rock?

Moses Striking the Rock is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Moses Striking the Rock?

Museum-quality prints of Moses Striking the Rock are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Moses Striking the Rock

Giovanni Maria Bottala , 1634

Moses Striking the Rock is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Giovanni Maria Bottala. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Giovanni Maria Bottala’s 1634 oil painting *Moses Striking the Rock* presents a densely populated biblical tableau set against a rugged terrain.

Giovanni Maria Bottala’s 1634 oil painting *Moses Striking the Rock* presents a densely populated biblical tableau set against a rugged terrain. Central to the composition is a bearded figure in a vivid red robe, gesturing toward the ground while surrounded by kneeling figures, infants, a fallen individual, and a nearby horse. Warm, muted tones and strong chiaroscuro give the scene a dramatic, early‑Baroque atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the Exodus episode in which Moses, acting on divine instruction, strikes a stone to provide water for the Israelites. Bottala emphasizes the collective desperation and hope of the crowd, using varied postures—kneeling, clutching children, and a figure collapsed on the ground—to convey the urgency of divine sustenance amidst hardship.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs the Baroque hallmarks of dynamic composition and stark contrast between light and shadow. Bottala’s handling of color—rich reds against darker earth tones—highlights the central figure while allowing the surrounding masses to recede into atmospheric depth, a practice reminiscent of his Roman training under Pietro da Cortona.

History & Provenance

Born in Savona in 1613, Bottala studied in Rome and later worked in Naples and Genoa, gaining the nickname “Rafaellino” for his admiration of Raphael’s classicism. The painting was likely commissioned by Cardinal Giulio Sacchetti, a noted patron of the arts, and now resides in the State Hermitage Museum’s collection in St. Petersburg.