Moses Striking the Rock c. 1555 - 1570

Jacopo Tintoretto painted this dramatic scene of Moses Striking the Rock, using oil paints on canvas, likely sometime in the mid-to-late 16th century. Tintoretto has used bold, fluid brushstrokes and a rich color palette to depict this pivotal moment from the Old Testament. But beyond the narrative, it's the materiality of the paint itself that's so compelling. Notice how the thick, viscous oil paint captures the texture and weight of the figures' garments. Look closely, and you can see the artist's hand in the swirling patterns of the brushwork, particularly in the cascading water. The very act of applying paint to canvas becomes a performative gesture, mirroring Moses' own dramatic act of striking the rock. Oil painting was a well established medium at the time, and Tintoretto was an expert in the techniques involved. Ultimately, it is the dynamic interplay between materials, process, and narrative that makes this painting so powerful. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the labor, skill, and cultural context that underpin every work of art.