Mozes slaat water uit de rots 1579 - 1643

This engraving, rendered by Johann Sadeler around 1600, depicts Moses striking the rock to bring forth water. Here, water is a powerful symbol of salvation and divine intervention, essential for the survival of Moses's people in the desert. The gesture of striking the rock—a symbol of hardness and resistance—to unleash life-giving water resonates across cultures. Similar motifs appear in ancient Greek myths, where gods like Poseidon strike the earth to create springs. This symbol has traversed time, embodying the idea of unexpected deliverance and the transformation of barrenness into abundance. The emotional core of this scene lies in the expressions of desperation and relief among the figures. This intense thirst is a primal fear that engages viewers on a subconscious level, reminding us of our dependence on nature's provisions. Such visual language, deeply rooted in collective memory, transcends its immediate biblical context. It reappears throughout history, evolving and adapting yet still carrying the weight of its original, life-affirming promise.