Restored in 2019 with funding from Tina Walls.

Monumental in conception and detail, this is Titian’s largest woodcut. Made from 12 separate blocks, the massive print is 44” high and 87” wide. Here Titian creates a dramatic narrative that compellingly illustrates an episode recounted in the Book of Exodus of the Old Testament: the Egyptian army is submerged in the Red Sea following Moses’ parting of the waters, which had allowed the Israelites to pass safely as they fled their persecutors. In an attempt to improve on the initial 1515 edition of the print, Domenico dalle Greche made this version consisting of 12 sheets from the original blocks in 1549.

Moses and the Israelites appear on the lower right-hand side of the composition, while their foes drown on the left-hand side. The central expanse — and the majority of the pictorial field — is dedicated to the churning waters, a theme of particular interest in Venice. The tempestuous character of the representation, and its depiction of the deliverance of a chosen people from a foreign oppressor may reflect contemporary politics: at the time that Titian designed the woodcut, Venice had lost nearly all of its mainland holdings during the Cambrai wars.

Prior to the restoration, the surface of the print was dirty and exhibited signs of insect deposits; the paper had browned and was deformed by various tears and rips. The paper supports had previously been glued together and folded, making them difficult to store and handle.

Conservators cleaned the surface with brushes, dry erasers and scalpels, and diminished stains with the use of solvents. They then lined the backs of the sheets with Japanese paper, which they also used to repair tears, and retouched losses. Finally, the sheets were dampened and flattened under weights to regain their shape, and were separated so that they can be consulted individually.

For select projects, conservation dossiers in Italian containing limited textual and photographic documentation may be available for consultation by appointment at the Venice office of Save Venice and the Rosand Library & Study Center. For inquiries, please contact us at venice@savevenice.org.

After Titian (c. 1488/90–1576)
Submersion of Pharaoh’s Army in the Red Sea
c. 1515 (woodcut); 1549 (print published)
Woodcut print on ribbed laid paper
112.5 x 221.5 cm

Ca’ Rezzonico Museum: Homepage

Rosand, David and Michelangelo Muraro. Titian and the Venetian Woodcut. Washington, D.C.: International Exhibitions Foundation, 1976.