Who painted Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]?

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] was painted by Benjamin West in 1778.

Where can I see Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]?

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]?

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]?

Museum-quality prints of Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso]

Benjamin West , 1778

Study of Moses Striking the Rock and a Procession [verso] is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Benjamin West. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by unknown hand, upper left in black chalk: 20 x 12 1/8 / B; by later hand, lower right in graphite: D29536 HX; by later hand, lower right in green pencil: 67

About this work

Overview

Benjamin West’s 1778 drawing, executed in black chalk on laid paper, presents two separate studies on a single sheet. The verso contains a brief narrative of Moses striking a rock and a procession of figures, rendered in a swift, gestural manner that emphasizes overall composition over fine detail.

Subject & Meaning

The left-hand sketch depicts a crowd gathered around a central figure wielding a staff to split a rock, echoing the biblical episode of Moses providing water for the Israelites. Opposite, a line of individuals advances, some bearing objects, suggesting a ceremonial or migratory movement linked to the same scriptural context.

Technique & Style

West employed loose, rapid chalk strokes that convey motion and mass rather than precise anatomy. The laid paper’s subtle texture is visible, and the artist left the marks unrefined, allowing the viewer to sense the dynamism of the scenes through the energetic, sketch‑like quality of the medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1778, the drawing is part of West’s preparatory work for larger compositions. It now resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is displayed among other preparatory studies that illustrate the artist’s process during his late eighteenth‑century career.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Benjamin West

Benjamin West (October 10, 1738 – March 11, 1820) was an American-born British painter who specialised in history painting, creating such works as The Death of Nelson, The Death of General Wolfe, the Treaty of Paris,…