Roman School Artist, Moses Makes Water Flow from the Rocks, 1600s, Oil on Canvas

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Description

Roman school, 17th century

moses drawing water from the rocks
(probably a preparatory sketch)

oil on canvas in grisaille (47 … Read more Roman school, 17th century

moses drawing water from the rocks
(probably a preparatory sketch)

oil on canvas in grisaille (47 x 67 cm - in an ebonized frame 64 x 85 cm)

provenance: sotheby's milan, 12.06.01, lot 165, estimate: 6-8,000,000 l. (3,000-4,000 euros) **

this fascinating canvas, depicting the old testament episode of moses drawing water from the rock, follows a descriptive structure that suggests it is a valuable preparatory sketch, a study for a larger altarpiece, or even more likely, a fresco.

although it is difficult to identify its author, we can place its work within the diverse roman school of the second half of the 17th or early 18th century, in the wake of baroque classicism.

it is a work created using the grayscale monochrome technique (also called "en grisaille"), which, particularly in the creation of sketches, was a crucial phase in artistic planning, used to define the volumes and composition of a work before applying the final color.

the illustrated event symbolizes divine salvation and faith, a popular theme in baroque art, and narrates the miraculous episode that occurred during the biblical exodus of the jewish people (chapter 17): having fled egypt, where they had been enslaved, the jews were led by moses to the promised land, wandering in the sinai desert. Their suffering was alleviated by god's help, thanks to the manna that rained down from heaven. But one day, tired and thirsty, feeling abandoned by a god whose existence they began to doubt, they turned to moses asking for a divine sign.

and thus the miracle of the great prophet who, at god's direction, struck the rock with his staff, causing a waterfall of water to gush forth, quenching the thirst of all present.

it is beautiful to observe the artist's depiction of the frenetic movement of the bodies, with their vivid poses and the variety of reactions: some are drinking greedily, some are thanking god, some are offering water to children, and some are stocking up by filling jars.

additional information:

the work is sold complete with a beautiful frame, a certificate of authenticity, and an iconographic . This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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