1631
oil
panel
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
Dominant colour
Moses and Aaron Changing the Rivers of Egypt to Blood is a 1631 oil by Bartholomeus Breenbergh, a Dutch Golden Age work, held at J. Paul Getty Museum.
This painting shows a dramatic scene with a river in the background. The river is red, and there are people gathered near it. Some are pointing, while others seem to be reacting in shock or horror. In the foreground, there are ruins of a building, with some greenery growing on top. The artist has used a range of colors to create a sense of depth and emotion. The red river is a striking feature, and the reactions of the people add to the sense of drama. The ruins in the foreground add a sense of age and decay to the scene. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds to the emotional impact of the painting.
Bartholomeus Breenbergh (before 13 November 1598 – after 3 October 1657) was a Dutch Golden Age painter of Italian and Italianate landscapes, in Rome (1619-1630) and Amsterdam (1630-1657).
See the richer artist page
