Drowning Egyptian soldiers in typical Italian Renaissance military garments
Biagio d’Antonio Tucci (1446-1516)
or Cosimo Rosselli (1439-1507)
"The Crossing of the Red Sea" is a fresco executed in 1481–1482 and located on the South wall in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
Description:
The scene is part of the chapel's Stories of Moses cycle, and, like other frescoes there, shows several scenes at the same time. The sequence begins from the right background, where Moses and Aaron are begging the pharaoh to free the Israelites. On the right are the Egyptian soldiers, shown in typical Italian Renaissance military garments, armor and weapons, who are drowning after the Red Sea waters, which had miraculously opened to allow the Israelites to cross them, close around them. The pharaoh is portrayed in a frantic scream, while other figures try to return to the Egyptian shore by swimming. Before the army is a column hovering over the waters: this is a representation of the fire pillar sent by Yahweh to scare the Egyptians.
In the upper central area is a hail storm, sent by God to punish the Egyptians. Also depicted are some sunrays and, more to the left, a rainbow, symbols of the upcoming liberation for the Israelite people. Similar representation of meteorological phenomena were not uncommon in the 15th-century Italian art: other examples are Fra Angelico's Martyrdom of St. Mark on the Tabernacle of the Linaioli, and several Paolo Uccello's St. George and the Drake.
On the left bank are the Israelites, led by a young Moses with the typical yellow garment and green cloak, and a command baton, after they have just crossed the sea. Their safeness is testified by the presence of recreational activities, such as the prophetess Miriam playing a chordophone in the foreground. They continue their trip in procession, disappearing on the left, in a naturalistic landscape. Details include a pet dog in the foreground (probably a Chihuahua of the painter Cosimo Rosselli), reminiscent of Benozzo Gozzoli's paintings in the Magi Chapel.
Source;
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_of_the_Red_Sea_(Sistine_Chapel)
Drowning Egyptian soldiers in typical Italian Renaissance military garments
Biagio d’Antonio Tucci (1446-1516)
or Cosimo Rosselli (1439-1507)
"The Crossing of the Red Sea" is a fresco executed in 1481–1482 and located on the South wall in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
Description:
The scene is part of the chapel's Stories of Moses cycle, and, like other frescoes there, shows several scenes at the same time. The sequence begins from the right background, where Moses and Aaron are begging the pharaoh to free the Israelites. On the right are the Egyptian soldiers, shown in typical Italian Renaissance military garments, armor and weapons, who are drowning after the Red Sea waters, which had miraculously opened to allow the Israelites to cross them, close around them. The pharaoh is portrayed in a frantic scream, while other figures try to return to the Egyptian shore by swimming. Before the army is a column hovering over the waters: this is a representation of the fire pillar sent by Yahweh to scare the Egyptians.
In the upper central area is a hail storm, sent by God to punish the Egyptians. Also depicted are some sunrays and, more to the left, a rainbow, symbols of the upcoming liberation for the Israelite people. Similar representation of meteorological phenomena were not uncommon in the 15th-century Italian art: other examples are Fra Angelico's Martyrdom of St. Mark on the Tabernacle of the Linaioli, and several Paolo Uccello's St. George and the Drake.
On the left bank are the Israelites, led by a young Moses with the typical yellow garment and green cloak, and a command baton, after they have just crossed the sea. Their safeness is testified by the presence of recreational activities, such as the prophetess Miriam playing a chordophone in the foreground. They continue their trip in procession, disappearing on the left, in a naturalistic landscape. Details include a pet dog in the foreground (probably a Chihuahua of the painter Cosimo Rosselli), reminiscent of Benozzo Gozzoli's paintings in the Magi Chapel.
Source;
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crossing_of_the_Red_Sea_(Sistine_Chapel)