Moses Striking the Rock
1634-1705
Luca Giordano, nicknamed 'Luca fa presto' (Luca paints fast) for his incredible speed, captures the dramatic biblical moment of Moses striking the rock to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites. In this energetic sketch, you can see the chaos and relief of the scene: a bearded Moses stands tall, wielding his staff against the stone, while water gushes out. Around him, figures scramble in various states of desperation and gratitude—some kneel to drink directly from the stream, others carry heavy jugs, and a few look on in awe. The loose, rapid strokes perfectly reflect Giordano's famous quick hand, giving the scene a sense of immediate, bustling movement rather than stiff formality.
Views: 9