Le passage de la Mer Rouge 1959

Francois Arnal painted "Le passage de la Mer Rouge" using an expressionist style, a movement that gained traction amidst the turmoil of the early 20th century. Arnal, who lived through World War II, may have been influenced by the collective anxiety and desire for renewal that marked his era. The title, which translates to "The Crossing of the Red Sea", evokes the biblical narrative of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Instead of a literal depiction, Arnal uses bold strokes of color to convey the emotional intensity and transformative power of this story. Red dominates the canvas, perhaps symbolizing the peril and bloodshed inherent in the Israelites' journey. Juxtaposed with this, the blues and whites may suggest hope and divine intervention. Arnal moves beyond traditional representation to explore themes of liberation, identity, and the human spirit's capacity to overcome adversity.