Who painted Aaron changing the water of the river into blood?

Aaron changing the water of the river into blood was painted by Jan Pynas in 1610.

Where can I see Aaron changing the water of the river into blood?

Aaron changing the water of the river into blood is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Aaron changing the water of the river into blood?

Aaron changing the water of the river into blood is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Aaron changing the water of the river into blood

Jan Pynas , 1610

Aaron changing the water of the river into blood is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jan Pynas. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Jan Pynas’s 1610 oil on canvas, titled Aaron Changing the Water of the River into Blood, depicts a biblical episode in which a figure in vivid red robes appears to transform a river’s flow into a crimson hue. The composition gathers several onlookers in elaborate dress along a riverbank, while a distant castle and small vessels occupy the hazy background.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is identified as Aaron, the priest of Israel, performing the miracle recorded in the Book of Numbers. His gesture suggests the moment the water turns red, symbolizing divine judgment and the plagues inflicted upon Egypt. The surrounding spectators, dressed in luxurious attire, emphasize the dramatic impact of the supernatural act on both the faithful and the indifferent.

Technique & Style

Pynas employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting bright illumination on the faces and the red-clad Aaron with the shadowed riverbank and sky. The oil medium allows for rich, saturated colors, especially the deep crimson of the water, while the detailed rendering of fabrics and armor reflects the early Baroque attention to texture and materiality.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history traces back to Dutch private collections before being transferred to the national museum, illustrating the painting’s enduring presence in the Netherlands’ artistic heritage.

Context

The painting belongs to a period when Dutch artists frequently illustrated Old Testament narratives, often to convey moral lessons about divine power. Pynas, active in the Utrecht school, incorporated Italianate influences, evident in the dramatic lighting and compositional arrangement, aligning the work with contemporary religious visual culture.