Artwork
Moses Striking the Rock
Moses Striking the Rock is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Nicolas Poussin's 1649 oil painting, Moses Striking the Rock, depicts a dramatic biblical scene characterized by intense colors, strong chiaroscuro, and a sense of turmoil.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a moment from the Exodus narrative where Moses strikes a rock to produce water, amidst a crowd of distressed figures, conveying the emotional and spiritual intensity of the event.
Technique & Style
Poussin employs vivid, dramatic colors and pronounced chiaroscuro, with sharp contrasts of light and dark, to emphasize the central figure of Moses and create depth in the rocky, stormy landscape.
History & Provenance
Created in 1649, the painting is part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Poussin (UK: , US: , French: ; June 1594 – 19 November 1665) was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome.
