1661
oil
canvas
From the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art
Moses Striking the Rock is a 1661 oil by Jan Steen, a Dutch Golden Age work, held at Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This painting shows a scene from the Bible. In the center, Moses is hitting a rock with his staff. Water is flowing out of the rock, and people are gathered around, some drinking from the water and others waiting. The scene is set in a desert landscape with trees and hills in the background. The painting is done in a realistic style, with detailed depictions of the people and the landscape. The colors are muted, with earth tones dominating the palette. The overall effect is one of calm and serenity, despite the dramatic event being depicted. To learn more about the artist who created this painting, look up Jan Steen.
Jan Havickszoon Steen was a Dutch Golden Age painter, one of the leading genre painters of the 17th century.
See the richer artist page
