Moses Striking Water from the Rock 1645 - 1650

Jacob Jordaens rendered this dramatic scene of Moses Striking Water from the Rock with oil on canvas. The eye is immediately drawn to the composition's dynamic energy and the way Jordaens orchestrates a chaotic assembly of figures. The use of diagonal lines, particularly in the arrangement of the crowd and the rock formation, creates a sense of movement. Notice how Jordaens employs a rich, earthy palette, dominated by browns and reds, which intensifies the sense of urgency and desperation. Light plays a crucial role here, with a strong contrast between the illuminated figures clamoring for water and the shadowed recesses of the landscape. This contrast heightens the emotional impact and emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event. The composition is carefully structured to convey the biblical narrative, but it also functions as a complex visual system. In this way, the artwork functions as a site of ongoing interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with its formal qualities and cultural context.