Moses Telling the Israelites to Gather the Manna and Moses Striking the Rock

Not on view
This print combines two related episodes from the Old Testament Book of Exodus. At left, Moses strikes a rock to reveal the stream of water that God had promised him would quench the Israelites’ thirst during their escape through the desert to the Promised Land. At right, Moses tells the Israelites to gather manna, food provided by God to sustain his people during their flight. The horizontal format that resembles a frieze elegantly unites the two episodes.

The inscription at lower right of the print attributes its design to the artist Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, 1503–1540), but it was actually inspired by a Roman fresco, now lost, painted by Polidoro da Caravaggio (1492–1543).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Moses Telling the Israelites to Gather the Manna and Moses Striking the Rock
  • Artist: Giulio Bonasone (Italian, active Rome and Bologna, 1531–after 1576)
  • Artist: After Polidoro da Caravaggio (Italian, Caravaggio ca. 1499–ca. 1543 Messina)
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 10 13/16 x 13 13/16 in. (27.5 x 35.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
  • Object Number: 2012.136.524
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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