Moses Telling the Israelites to Gather the Manna and Moses Striking the Rock
Original title: Moses Telling the Israelites to Gather the Manna and Moses Striking the Rock
kurzbeschreibung
This engraving by Giulio Bonasone brings together two episodes from the Book of Exodus: Moses instructing the Israelites to gather manna, and Moses striking water from the rock. Executed as a copperplate engraving, it was likely made around the mid-sixteenth century. Both events are set within a single narrative landscape.
Description
A group of people occupies a camp or village. Several figures kneel on the ground picking something up, while others stand around or go about their tasks. In the foreground a man holds a staff or implement. Beyond him a landscape with trees and buildings opens out. The clothing looks traditional, pointing to a biblical or historical setting. The layout draws the eye toward the central figure, and the arrangement feels balanced.
Context
Bonasone, a sixteenth-century Italian engraver, became known chiefly for his reproductions after Renaissance works. This print was probably made in Rome, where he worked for various patrons. The gathering of manna and the miracle of the rock belonged to the common repertoire of Christian iconography and stood for divine providence and redemption.
Impact
Evenly distributed light and the delicate lines of the engraving give the scene a quiet, almost solemn tone. The symmetrical arrangement directs attention to Moses at the center and underscores his role as leader. The many carefully executed figures hold the gaze longer, making the narrative density of the biblical subject palpable.
Technique
In engraving, the image is incised into a copper plate and then printed onto paper. Precise hatching and fine lines create a sense of volume and a monochrome contrast. The print was likely pulled in several passes so that the details of the figures and landscape stand out clearly.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)