The Israelites Passing the Red Sea, from Diversarum Iconum...Series Secunda

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Israelites Passing the Red Sea*, a dramatic chiaroscuro woodcut Anton Maria Zanetti the Elder's *Diversarum Iconum...Series Secunda* (0). This print vividly captures the biblical miracle from Exodus, where Moses parts the waters for the fleeing Israelites, pursued by Pharaoh's army. Zanetti a masterful Venetian printmaker of the 18th century, faithfully reproduced a composition attributed to the High Renaissance genius Raphael (Raffaellozio da Urbino), transforming a Renaissance design into a striking modern interpretation. What sets this work apart is its innovative medium: a chiaroscuro woodcut printed from four blocks using yellow-green ink, an unusual choice that evokes an otherworldly, aquatic glow fitting the watery drama. Chiaroscuro technique—pioneered in the 16th century—uses tone blocks to mimic the light and shadow of paintings, creating depth and volume in a single sheet. Zanetti's skill with multiple blocks elevates this to painterly sophistication, bridging Raphael's classical harmony with Rococo-era virtuosity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1932), this 18 5/16 × 12 3/8 in. sheet exemplifies how 18th-century printmakers revived old masters, making epic religious narratives accessible to collectors and scholars. A testament to printmaking's evolution, it invites viewers to ponder faith, salvation, and artistic ingenuity.