1645
oil
canvas
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
Moses Striking Water from the Rock is a 1645 oil by Jacob Jordaens, a Flemish Baroque painting work, held at J. Paul Getty Museum.
This painting depicts a chaotic scene with many figures and animals. In the center, a man in a red robe stands on a rocky outcropping, holding a staff and looking up at the sky. Around him, people and animals are gathered, some drinking from a stream of water that flows from the rock. The atmosphere is one of urgency and desperation. In the foreground, a group of people are shown trying to get water from the stream, while others are shown in the background, watching the scene unfold. The painting is done in a realistic style, with detailed depictions of the figures and animals. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and drama, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure of the man in the red robe. For more information on this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Jacques (Jacob) Jordaens (19 May 1593 – 18 October 1678) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman and a designer of tapestries and prints.
See the richer artist page
