The Destruction of Pharaoh's Host by Samuel Colman, Exodus 14:23-31, Bible.Gallery
The Destruction of Pharaoh's Host is a oil on copper painting by Samuel Colman (1832–1920), created in c. 1830. Measuring 49.8 × 61 cm, it depicts the biblical scene from Exodus 14:23-31.
Artwork Description
Presented here is a gripping tableau drawn from the narratives of the Old Testament. The diminutive form of Moses (located in the upper left corner) raises his staff with a commanding gesture, invoking the waters of the Red Sea to cascade down upon the Egyptian army below. The divine presence is shrouded within the pillar of cloud and fire, while the silhouette of Pharaoh, positioned at its base, mirrors his intense shock and dismay in the face of unfolding chaos. This composition by Samuel Colman encapsulates an assortment of apocalyptic scenes, a fervently embraced theme in the realm of British art during that era. The painting captures the essence of divine intervention, as celestial forces are harnessed to unleash the destructive power of nature, obliterating the forces of malevolence.